I can shoot from the hip against big three
Murray now believes he can win duel with Federer, Djokovic and Nadal again
ANDY MURRAY now believes he can topple Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafa Nadal again after his remarkable recovery from hip surgery.
The double Wimbledon and US Open champion will return to Grand Slam action at the Australian Open in January – a year after fearing his career was over.
Successful hip-resurfacing surgery has seen the 32-year-old Scot return to action and win his first title since 2017 at the European Open in Antwerp last month.
As Murray made his first tentative steps back he feared he would never be able to compete against the game’s big three.
But he’s now “excited” about the future after making such huge strides with his fitness.
And although Murray admits his chances of beating Federer, Nadal and Djokovic – who have won the last 12 Slams between them – are slim, he has the belief he can pull of a stunning victory.
The Dunblane ace said: “I know if I played against the top players tomorrow there would be a very small chance of me winning. But I do feel I could win.
“That’s one of the performance goals I want – when I go out on court against all of the players I want to feel like I have a chance.
“Seven or eight weeks ago I wouldn’t have felt that was the case. Before Antwerp the conversations I was having with my team were, ‘I’m not sure where
I can get to.’ Now I think my body showed I’m going to be able to play at a high level.”
Murray will play in the Davis Cup in Madrid next week before turning out for Great Britain again at the ATP Cup in January ahead of the first major of the season.
To win a Grand Slam, a player needs to come through seven matches in a fortnight while in a regular tour event the compressed format can see players play five matches in as many days.
And Murray, speaking at the launch of his Castore sportswear and apparel line, is ready to use the day’s rest between Slam matches to his advantage.
He said: “I’m not worried from the hip’s perspective as I have had zero issues with it.
“My physio has always been more positive about me playing Grand Slams than events when you play five days in a row.
“He loves the fact there’s a day off to recover.”
I want to go on court against all players and feel like I have chance
ANDY MURRAY LOOKS TO THE NEW SEASON