World number four Andy Murray could set the record as the first male player in the Open Era to win the Australian Open title after losing in the final in Melbourne three times in the past.
It’s definitely a familiar scene for the British star who finally made a breakthrough after winning the US Open back in 2012 and the Wimbledon title in 2013, becoming the first homegrown male tennis player to win this grasscourt Slam in 77 years.
It will be a tough road for Murray this time around. Murray underwent a back surgery in September which led him to miss the last three months of the season, including the ATP World Tour Finals. The Australian Open 2013 runner-up knows the uphill battle ahead.
“Being away from it, you feel a little bit fresher mentally with all of the travelling,” Murray said. “Like right now, I’m going to be away basically five months from home, but when I was away from that, when I wasn’t able to do the travelling, you start to miss it.
“I’m looking forward to the year. Hopefully I can get myself back to 100 per cent soon.”
Murray, seeded fourth, will face a slew of tough opponents such as John Isner, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal who are drawn in his half. He could potentially meet Novak Djokovic in the final. Djokovic defeated Murray in the Australian Open finals back in 2011 and last year.
“Obviously I need to be pretty patient with myself and not expect too much,” Murray said. “But you never know. I’ve done a lot of training the past few months; it’s just I haven’t played many matches.
“If somehow I can work my way into the tournament, feel a little bit better every day, then I might start to raise those expectations.”
