Andy Murray believes 'improved serving' the key to better form as he targets deep run at 2024 Australian Open
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Published 10/01/2024 at 18:53 GMT
Andy Murray has been outlining what areas of his game he needs to improve if he's to have a deep run at the Australian Open. The 36-year old hasn't been past the third round of a Grand Slam since his return from a career-threatening hip injury. He says he needs to serve better to have any chance of ending that record, while also admitting to being "rubbish" at the back end of 2023.
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Andy Murray admits his serving has got to improve if he's to have any chance of a strong run at the Australian Open.
The first Grand Slam of 2024 gets started on January 14, live on Eurosport and discovery+.
Murray reached the third round in Melbourne 12 months ago, but that proved one of the high points of a year in which he suffered six first-round exits and made it to just one quarter-final.
"Last year, when it came serving for matches, I was not getting many free points, ending up in long rallies," he said ahead of returning to the Australian Open, where he is a five-time runner-up.
"I was just not feeling comfortable on the court.
"So hopefully, with some improved serving and feeling a bit better about my game, when I put myself in those situations, it goes well."
Murray's preparations for Melbourne have not gone as well as he would have hoped, losing a tight three-set clash with eventual champion Grigor Dmitrov in the first round of the Brisbane International.
He was also beaten 6-3 7-5 by Marin Cilic in an exhibition match at the Kooyong Classic on Wednesday.
He will find out his fate for the Australian Open when the draw takes place on Thursday, and despite being beaten twice in succession to kick off 2024, he believes his game is in a much better place than the back end of 2023.
"I was also playing rubbish," he admits after dropping to No. 44 in the world.
"If you’ve been a top player, and then your ranking drops, you’re not winning as many matches.
"So when you get in those situations, you probably don’t cope with them as well.
"Last year, I lost a number of matches I could have won. I know I’ve made improvements in the off-season. I was pushing a lot of guys even though I really didn’t feel good on the court."
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