Murray Eyes London Success As New No. 1

First, he claimed the No. 1 spot in the Emirates ATP Rankings. Then, Andy Murray lifted his maiden BNP Paribas Masters trophy. Next? Murray says he’s looking to culminate a fortnight of firsts with a title at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals.

Murray will be the top seed on home soil when he enters The O2 in London, bidding for his first victory at the season finale. The red hot Scot is riding a 19-match win streak after defeating John Isner on Sunday in Paris.

“Hopefully I can play some good tennis there,” said Murray. “I will take a few days’ break now, and rest up a little bit and get ready for one big push out of the next 10 days.

“The last few years I haven’t played so well there. One year I played really well there and missed out by I don’t know even know what it was in the end, but by a game. And one of the years I played one of the best matches of the year against Rafa in the semi-finals… I just want to play my best and finish the year on a good note in that respect.”

Murray caps the Emirates ATP Race To London in the top position, having claimed eight titles and posting a 73-9 record in 2016. While the 29 year old admits he is playing the best tennis of his career and is proud to have ascended to World No. 1, he understands that nothing is guaranteed and is looking to savour the moment.

“It might only be for one week,” Murray added. “So I might as well try and enjoy it, because I could lose it at the Tour Finals and never be there again. So I was really happy about that and hopefully will feel the same way going into London, as well. I’m sure I will, because you’re competing against the best players in front of a big crowd there.”

Achieving such a signficant milestone has given Murray a fresh perspective on his career. Healthy and refreshed, the Dunblane native is gearing up for a thrilling finish to the season. He has work to do to become year-end No. 1 and will battle Djokovic for the honour at what is shaping to be a thrilling Barclays ATP World Tour Finals.

“I wouldn’t say I feel sort of more or less tired at this stage of the season physically. But mentally I have been in a good place for a long time now this year and I don’t feel stressed at all away from the court. I still find the matches stressful, but in the buildup to the match or when I’m back at home, I’m just in a good place and that helps.”