Andy Murray offers up encouraging comments as he prepares for 2022 season

Former world No.1 Andy Murray is heading into the 2022 season with a spring in his step, after he confirmed he had made “some significant improvements” in the final weeks of last season.
Murray lost some tight matches against some of the game’s highest-ranked and in-form players, with the former world No.1 frustrated by his failure to get over the line in losses against Stefanos Tsitsipas and Carlos Alcaraz.
Yet he did record wins against top ten players Hubert Hurkacz and Jannick Sinner and the of his performance was well above his current world ranking of 134.
Now Murray is preparing for the new season by appearing at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi and he told The National that his hopes for the New Year have been bosted by his form in the final months of last season.
“I definitely felt I’d made some significant improvements as we moved towards the end of the season,” said Murray. “It highlights how important getting match play is when you are coming back from an injury or a long stretch of time out.
“There are still things I need to work on, and we’ll be doing that in the off season, but I was pleased with how I ended the year.”
Murray also revealed why he had decided to play in the event in Abu Dhabi as he added: “At this time of year, I usually do a block of warm weather training, but this year we took the decision to do most of the off season in the UK, which means playing indoors.
“Being able to play at Mubadala is great preparation for Australia. It allows me more on court time, and I’m ready to put into play some of the things we’ve been working on over the last few weeks.”
Murray’s ranking has slipped to a point that he will need a wildcard to gain entry to the Australian Open, where he hopes to return to the scene of what appeared to be his final match back in 2019.
The Scot even made an emotional farewell speech to the Melbourne crowd after he lost to Roberto Bautista Agut, but it looks like he will be back at the Australian Open next month.
Murray split with his long-term coach Jamie Delgado ahead of the 2022 season and is looking to add new elements to his game with the input of a new permanent coach, with Jan De Witt working with him in recent weeks.
“This decision is an important one for me because obviously I don’t know how much longer I’m going to be playing so I want to make sure the person that’s with me for the last period of my career is the right one,” added Murray. “That’s why I’m going about it this way.”
Latest
-
ATP Tour
ATP Rankings: Casper Ruud threatens career-best ranking
Casper Ruud is on the brink of a career-best ranking.
-
ATP Tour
Hobbled Nick Kyrgios lets rip on ball boys in Montreal
Quick serves and a quicker temper from Nick Kyrgios.
-
WTA Tour
The WTA Tour should promote the stars they have says Former British No 1
Tennis has to play the cards it is dealt.
-
WTA Tour
Toronto Masters: How to watch Coco Gauff vs Simona Halep
Coco Gauff’s clash with Simona Halep headlines the Toronto Masters last eight clashes.
-
ATP Tour
Montreal Masters: How to watch Nick Kyrgios, Jack Draper and Dan Evans in action
If Jack Draper and Dan Evans win tonight they will set an all-British semi in Montreal.
-
Tennis News
Exclusive – Former British No 1 baffled by suggestions Andy Murray should retire
“There is absolutely no reason why he can’t challenge the top players and keep going.”
-
Tennis News
Nick Kyrgios admits being away from his sick parents is taking its toll, saying ‘I am missing home’
Nick Kyrgios says being away from his sick parents is weighing him down.
-
US Open
Novak Djokovic gets a shot in the arm ahead of US Open as the United States loosens Covid-19 restrictions
Novak Djokovic has received a US Open boost.
-
WTA Tour
Coco Gauff gaining confidence ahead of US Open as she takes out another top player in Toronto
Coco Gauff claims another marathon win in Toronto.
-
ATP Tour
Jack Draper’s dream run in Cincy continues after Gael Monfils retirement – ‘I hope Gael is alright’
Jack Draper reaches maiden ATP Masters 1000 quarter-final in Montreal.