MURRAY IS HOPING TO BE ABU FAB
ANDY MURRAY took to the practice courts in Abu Dhabi as he steps up his bid to be fit for the Australian Open.
The former world No.1 spent almost 90 minutes being put through his paces by coach Jamie Delgado at Zayed Sports City.
The Scot, out with a hip injury since Wimbledon, also plans to hit with other stars playing at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship exhibition before flying to Brisbane tomorrow.
The draw for the Brisbane International will be made tonight and the double Olympic champion is slated to play his first competitive match since July next Wednesday or Thursday.
World No.1 Rafa Nadal (knees) has pulled out of Brisbane along with Kei Nishikori (hips) and US Open champion Sloane Stephens (knee).
But British No.1 Jo Konta is playing her first tournament since October after last season ended early with a foot injury.
The Wimbledon semi-finalist said: “It is the first tournament of the season – and the strongest one we have so it is a great place to jump into the deep end of things.
“I am playing Brisbane and Sydney again in the lead-up to the Australian Open so it is a great opportunity to get as many matches as I can under my belt.
“I haven’t played a competitive match for a few months because I finished my season early so there is no better place to get back than here.”