Novak year is a one-off, says Murray
BRITAIN’S Andy Murray has questioned world No1 Novak Djokovic’s ability to repeat his remarkable 2011 results next year, as he prepares to begin his ATP World Tour Finals campaign today in London.
Murray, who faces Spain’s David Ferrer this afternoon at the O2, compared Djokovic’s haul of 10 titles, including three grand slams, and just four matches lost with Barcelona’s dominance of European football.
“How many times have players had the best year in tennis and then repeated it next year? It doesn’t happen in sports,” said the world No3.
“Like Barcelona in football – they’re the best team, but to win back-to-back Champions Leagues, even though you’re the best, it’s so tough, the margins are so small.”
Djokovic, who faces Tomas Berdych in his opener this evening, is likely to be Murray’s toughest opponent in Group A at the season-ending clash of the best-performing players of the year. They will face each other this week and the Scot believes he can overcome the Serb, who beat him in January’s Australian Open final.
“We have similar game styles and we both make a lot of returns,” said Murray. “I feel like it is pretty even in a lot of respects.”