Former world No.1 Andy Murray said on Wednesday that he was “still going in the right direction” and that he was determined to end a “up and down” 2023 on a high note, on the eve of his entry into competing in Zhuhai, China.
“There have been ups and downs this year,” explained the 36-year-old Scot to the press gathered for the Chinese ATP 250 tournament. “But I achieved my best ranking since my hip operation a few weeks ago, so that’s positive and it shows that even if the trajectory is not as fast as I would have liked, I continue to going in the right direction,” continued the current 41st in the world.
Murray, who underwent career-saving surgery in 2019 and has since played with a metal hip, reached the final in Qatar this year and played a leading role in Great Britain’s Cup victory over Switzerland Davis a few days ago.
“There were good moments, but also difficult defeats,” also declared the three-time Grand Slam winner, referring to his defeat in five sets in the second round of Wimbledon against Stefanos Tsitsipas, but also to his injury to the abdomen contracted at the Canadian Open last month, just like his elimination in the second round of the US Open, which he won in 2012, in three sets against Grigor Dimitrov.
“I have the opportunity with these last five or six tournaments at the end of the year to finish strong, so that’s what I hope to do here,” he continued.
Murray, whose last ATP title dates back to 2019, faces Chinese Mo Yecong for his entry into the running in Zhuhai.