Shanghai: Andy Murray has never been the most fashionable member of tennis’s ‘Big Four’, but he finally looks the part as he zeroes in on the World No.1 spot.
Winning back-to-back titles in China without dropping a set tells its own story, and underlines the consensus that Murray is currently the world’s best player. The 29-year-old swept past Roberto Bautista Agut to win his third Shanghai Masters title, Sunday, lifting his sixth trophy in what has been his best season yet.
Murray has reached three Slam finals this year, winning his second Wimbledon title and also becoming the first man to successfully defend the Olympic singles gold.
“Winning Wimbledon was really a big boost to my confidence after I had had quite a few tough losses in the Slams the last few years,” Murray said Monday. “That kind of gave me a lot more belief in myself that I could win the Major competitions again. It helped motivate me.
“I have obviously quite a different team this year with Ivan (Lendl) and Jamie Delgado. Since the French Open, I’ve played the best three months of tennis of my career,” added the Briton.
Obstacles remain and Murray is wary of a return to form by Djokovic, conservatively predicting that February or March represents his best chance of reaching No.1 spot.
“I will try and finish this year as strong as I can. And next year if the opportunity is there to reach No. 1, then I want to try and take it,” Murray asserted.
“But it’s not going to be easy because Novak plays great tennis indoors, and also his record at the beginning of the year is phenomenal in Australia and Indian Wells, Miami. It’s going to be a tough thing to achieve that. I’m aware of that. I’m close-ish right now, but it’s going to be really tough still,” added Murray.
If Murray keeps his current trajectory, it won’t be long before he becomes Britain’s first World No.1 in tennis under the ATP’s computerised rankings, which were introduced in 1973.
Agence France-Presse