Andy Murray: Miami a 'really important place' for Brit as he recounts 'physical matches' with Novak Djokovic

Updated 20/03/2024 at 11:10 GMT

Andy Murray is preparing to play in the Miami Open for perhaps the last time and said the city has been a "really important place" for him during his career. The Brit has spent countless months training in Miami and has also enjoyed plenty of success in the Masters 1000 event. From four finals, he has lifted the trophy twice and has enjoyed an interesting rivalry with Novak Djokovic.

'Heat makes it tough here' - Murray back in Miami and recalls Djokovic matches

Andy Murray is delighted to be back in Miami for this week’s ATP Tour event as he looks to make a good run in a place that has been "really important" for him during his career.

The Brit spent most of his off-seasons in Miami preparing for the first Grand Slam of the year in Australia, while he has also enjoyed plenty of success in the Floridian city.

He'll be hoping to add to his legacy in the Masters 1000 event this week in what is likely to be his final year on tour.

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Wins have proved hard to come by of late for the former world No. 1, who was beaten in straight sets by Andrey Rublev in the second round at Indian Wells.

He has been handed a tough draw in Miami against Italy's Matteo Berrettini, so he'll be hoping his fond memories will help him get over the line.

"It's obviously a place I've spent a huge amount of time in over my career and it's been a really important place for me," Murray said. "It's where a huge bulk of my off-court work has been done and I always enjoy coming back because of that.

"It's a slightly different venue but it's a city I enjoy coming to."

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Murray has won the Miami Open twice - in 2009 and 2013 - and forged something of a tournament rivalry with Novak Djokovic.

The pair faced each other five times between 2007 and 2015, with Djokovic leading the head-to-head 4-1.

Crucially, Murray beat the Serb in straight sets in the 2009 final, although he lost in the 2012 and 2015 title showdowns.

His other triumph came against David Ferrer in 2013 in another gruelling match at an event renowned for hot and humid conditions.

"The conditions here always make the matches tough," Murray added. "Me and Novak used to generally play quite physical matches and I think the heat and humidity here made that even tougher for both of us.

"I also played a brutal match in the final against David Ferrer where I managed to save a match point on another really hot day. A lot of good memories.

"I played doubles with Novak here as well, which was fun."

There will be no resumption of Murray's Miami rivalry with Djokovic this year after the Serb decided to withdraw from the tournament.

"Hi Miami! Unfortunately I won't be playing the Miami Open this year," Djokovic wrote on X. "At this stage of my career, I'm balancing my private and professional schedule. I'm sorry that I won't experience some of the best and most passionate fans in the world.

"I'm looking fw [forward] competing in MI [Miami] in future!"

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