Can No.1 ranking inspire Andy Murray to complete career Grand Slam?

Andy Murray capped his climb to the peak of men’s tennis in fitting fashion – dethroning previous incumbent Novak Djokovic at the ATP World Tour Finals in London.

It was the question that hovered over the 29-year-old during his surge to the top: could he really upstage his arch-nemesis when it mattered?

He could. Despite having far less recovery time – twice setting a tournament record for the longest match in duels with Kei Nishikori and Milos Raonic – he outclassed the 12-time Grand Slam winner in straight sets.

It was arguably his most important victory. Clinching the No.1 ranking on a short-term basis is one thing, but finishing the year at the summit leaves one thing indisputable: he was the best player in 2016.

Olympics: check.

Davis Cup: check.

World No.1: check.

But Murray, for all his diverse success, still has a mediocre haul of Grand Slams. When he edged a five-set thriller with Djokovic at the US Open in 2012, it was expected to pave the way for many more. Instead, just two Wimbledon titles have followed, while his Major record in finals reads quite abysmally: played 11, lost eight.

He has consistently found the final barrier too great an obstacle. And, finally, that seems set to change.

Roger Federer is a fading force; Rafa Nadal is without a Major in over two years; Djokovic’s troubles could quite conceivably extend; the young contingent is yet to step up. All the ingredients are in place for Murray to spearhead men’s tennis through 2017.

"Now that I've got there [world No.1], I obviously would be motivated to try and stay in that position," Murray said, via BBC Sport.

"But the majors get me working hard … When I go away in December to train, I'm training with the Australian Open in mind.

"Because of the best-of-five-set matches, they're the ones you have to really put in the extra work for and the extra training for. That's what motivates me."

Murray needs the Australian Open and French Open titles to complete his tennis cabinet. Once a farfetched ambition, it’s suddenly a plausible outcome.

But will he do it?

Five finals in Melbourne; one defeat to Roger Federer, four to Novak Djokovic. His triumph in London, albeit roared on a vivacious partisan support, proved he is the greatest on the hard-courts. He won in Rio, should have won in Flushing Meadows and has dominated the Tour ahead of Sunday’s success.

The ATP Finals have often produced the winner in Australia, so the signs are encouraging for Murray. Factor in that Djokovic will only have six weeks to transform his form in the off-season – not long considering he’s struggled since Wimbledon – and everything points to the Scot’s southern hemisphere drought ending in 2017.

Toni Nadal has already claimed his steed is the leading candidate to triumph at Roland Garros in 2017. "I am convinced we will see the best Rafa Nadal next season," coach Toni told Mallorca Esports. "I think at Roland Garros will be among the top candidates with Djokovic, but I’m confident we can achieve a 10th title."

That shouldn’t concern Murray. In his corner, the returning Ivan Lendl brings three French Open titles (and he sacrificed more in search of an elusive Wimbledon title). Murray ran Djokovic close in Paris last time around and his game finally seems suited to clay after years of torment on the red dust.

It’s a supremely exciting time for British tennis and Murray. At 29, he knows his best tennis can’t stretch for much longer. A young talent will inevitably emerge and take the men’s game by storm. But in the first chunk of 2017, he has a great opportunity to tick off at least one – and perhaps both – of the final gaps in his tennis puzzle.