28 December 2023 , 14:30
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Andy Murray claimed he still loves tennis and is “pumped” to be back Down Under as the new season starts in Australia on Friday.
British No.1s Cam Norrie and Katie Boulter and Neal Skupski will play in Great Britain’s opening United Cup tie against Australia in Perth. And Rafa Nadal and Naomi Osaka will all make their long-awaited returns at the Brisbane International this weekend while Emma Raducanu will be back in Auckland.
Murray feared his career was over after the 2019 Australian Open - and admitted he was "not really enjoying" his tennis after ending last season with a painful loss in Paris. But the five-time runner-up at Melbourne Park arrived in Queensland insisting he has no plans to retire - and stated he is ready to go again as he prepares for his 16th Australian Open.
"I'm pumped," said the former world No.1, who turns 37 in May. “I always find I play some of my best tennis here, so I’m always excited to get going. The body is old but I still love it. I’m still loving the training and the travel and everything.
“It’s a little bit tougher now being away when you have a young family. But I feel good enough to compete with the best players in the world and I’ll keep playing until I don’t feel like I can do that anymore.”
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Murray, who won the Brisbane title in 2012 and 2013, reached the third round in Melbourne last January - his best Grand Slam performance of the year. “It was probably the most positive part of the year for me, that I was able to compete most weeks,” said the world No.42.
Andy Murray will compete in the Australian Open (Shi Tang/Getty Images)HAVE YOUR SAY! Can Andy Murray still win a Grand Slam? Comment below.
“I had a little injury around the US Open time but apart from that it was really good. So long as I’m healthy, it makes it a lot more enjoyable to be out on the court. When you have lots of injuries, the rehab is a lot harder now than when I was younger, so hopefully I can stay fit.”
Murray’s old rival Nadal is also in Brisbane for his first appearance in since losing in the Australian Open second round last January. The 22-Grand Slam winner underwent hip surgery in June. After his first training session at the Queensland Tennis Centre yesterday, the Spanish superstar said: “I’m happy to be back on the tour and happy to be here in Brisbane after a few years."
Norrie started 2023 with wins over Nadal and Alex De Minaur at the United Cup - and he faces the Aussie No.1 in his opening match today after slipping down to world No.18. "It was still a great year but I was disappointed with the end of it,” said the former world No.8.
"I want to win big tournaments. I just need to look at how to prepare for those, and I need to be playing my best for those. I need to stay very patient with myself. "I don't see any reason why (I can't be a contender). I've had wins over Carlos Alcaraz and some other top players. Everyone's improving so it just gets tougher but I'm feeling good."
The Australian Open starts on Sunday, January 14.