Novak Djokovic lavished reward on Andy Murray for all of the moments of magic he has produced in 2023 up to now, hailing the Brit for displaying psychological toughness at this stage in his profession.
Murray put collectively a very good run on the Australian Open, profitable back-to-back five-setters, together with the longest match of his profession, earlier than falling within the third spherical. He then made his option to the ultimate of the Qatar Open.
Though the three-time Grand Slam champion succumbed to Daniil Medvedev within the summit conflict in Doha, it was a event to recollect for Murray. He saved a number of match factors in opposition to each Alexander Zverev and Jiri Lehecka enroute to the ultimate.
At his pre-tournament press convention, Novak Djokovic touched on the previous World No. 1’s unbelievable resurgence forward of the Dubai Tennis Championships. Djokovic may tackle Andy Murray within the quarterfinals of the event.
The Serb recalled assembly Murray again once they had been each 11-12 years outdated, fondly remembering that the 35-year-old “kicked his a**” on the time.
“It is not assured that we will meet, however… Off the court docket we meet, however on the court docket we each have to win two matches. I imply, enormous respect to him,” he stated. “
“Andy and I’m going again a very long time, I believe since we had been 11 or 12 years outdated. That is the primary time we met, first time we performed in opposition to one another. He kicked my a** – sorry for my language – at the moment. Ever since then we form of adopted one another on the journey to develop into skilled gamers.”
The World No. 1 went on to declare that the three-time Grand Slam champion had “a lot expertise” and a mentality that’s paying homage to a champion and a fighter.
“We did not have a lot separation by way of outcomes, by way of time. Possibly I broke via to the highest 5 sooner than he did, however we had been very shut all the time,” Djokovic stated. “He is received a lot expertise, unbelievable grit, unbelievable mentality of a champion, of a fighter.”
Djokovic additional added that he had nothing however admiration for all of the grit Murray has displayed over the past couple of months, particularly contemplating his hip surgical procedure.
“What is going on now this yr together with his match factors saved in actually each match he performs, the quantity of hours he spent on the court docket for the reason that starting of the yr, notably in Australia, is simply one thing you have to admire and say ‘Chapeau’ due to all the pieces he has gone via together with his hip,” he stated.
“I am very comfortable for him as a result of he is an amazing man, respects the game, works very, very laborious” – Novak Djokovic on Andy Murray
Novak Djokovic additionally identified how Andy Murray continually seems to be to enhance himself in his try and get again to the very best degree. He marveled at how Murray’s degree retains getting “higher and higher.”
The 35-year-old went on so as to add that he was “very comfortable” for the three-time Grand Slam champion. He additionally said that the Brit was an amazing man who revered the game and labored more durable than most others on tour.
“It’s important to observe that he has a synthetic hip and he is transferring the way in which he does. He is continually trying to enhance and to get again to the very best degree, which it looks as if he is been doing. He is simply rising within the rankings,” Djokovic stated.
“The extent is best and higher. Yeah, I am very comfortable for him as a result of he is an amazing man, respects the game, works very, very laborious. So very dedicated, he deserves his success.”
Andy Murray will open his Dubai marketing campaign in opposition to Hubert Hurkacz, whereas Djokovic will tackle Tomas Machac in his first-round conflict.
