Andy Murray says he has missed the sensation of enjoying in opposition to rivals Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal however stays hopeful of going through the pair within the latter levels of “big tournaments”.
Nadal, who’s making his return to aggressive motion – after nearly a full yr out with damage – on the Brisbane Worldwide, stay on Sky Sports activities, has not confronted Murray since 2016.
Murray, who can also be enjoying in Brisbane, has come again from a number of prolonged damage absences of his personal since then to return to the world’s prime 50, however has confronted world No 1 Djokovic solely as soon as since 2017.
“Obviously I would like the opportunity to play against them again, ideally in the latter stages of big tournaments,” Murray stated in his pre-tournament press convention.
“That is one thing that, , clearly I’ve missed that that feeling and never had that chance actually.
“I can’t remember the last time I played them, to be honest.”
The final of Murray’s 36 tour-level conferences with Djokovic got here on the 2022 Madrid Masters, whereas the latest of his 24 clashes with Nadal was on the identical event in 2016.
Murray and Nadal every shared movies on Saturday of a joint follow session in Brisbane, with the pair showing to have loved sharing the courtroom.
Murray will start his Brisbane marketing campaign in opposition to one other outdated foe, No 2 seed Grigor Dimitror, whereas Nadal has but to be taught who his first-round opponent will likely be.
“It’ll be a good match,” the 36-year-old stated.
“Grigor had a brilliant season last season. I played against him at the US Open and he won comfortably, so I’ll need to play really well, certainly much better than there if I want to get through it.”
Additionally returning to motion within the girls’s attract Brisbane is former world No 1 Naomi Osaka, who is ready to play for the primary time since September 2022, having given beginning to her first baby in July this yr.
“There’s a lot of interesting first-round matches,” Murray added.
“I think obviously everyone excited for Rafa and Naomi to come back and play, so that’s good – a good start for the tournament I think.”
The Brisbane Worldwide is stay on Sky Sports activities Primary Occasion and Sky Sports activities Combine from 1am on Sunday morning.