Three-time grand slam champion Andy Murray says his body feels old but there are no retirement plans on the horizon as he attempts to pull off an Australian heist.
Murray has touched down ahead of the Brisbane International – a tournament he won in 2012 and 2013.
But it is a deep run at the Australian Open that Murray craves the most, and the 36-year-old is backing his ageing body to keep up with generation next.
“The body’s old, but I still love it, and still loving the training and travelling,” said Murray, a five-time Australian Open runner-up.
“It’s a little bit tougher now being away – you’ve got a young family, which is tough.
“But I feel good enough to compete with the best players in the world, and I’ll keep playing until I feel like I can’t do that anymore.”
Andy Murray is 42nd in the world rankings – not bad for a player who briefly retired in 2019 due to a serious hip injury but was able to make it back onto the court later that year.
The former world No.1 was happy with how his body held up this year.
“It’s probably the most positive part of the year for me, that I was able to compete most weeks,” he said.
“I had a little injury around the US Open time, but apart from that it was really good.
“So as long as I’m healthy, it makes it a lot more enjoyable to be out on the court.
“When you’ve got lots of injuries and stuff, the rehab is a lot harder now than when I was a lot younger. So hopefully I can stay fit.”
Murray reached the third round of the Australian Open last summer, beating Thanasi Kokkinakis in a five-set thriller along the way.
The veteran Brit says he enjoys the hot and humid conditions of Australia.
“I’m pumped. I play some of my best tennis here,” Murray said.
