World No 1 Novak Djokovic has acknowledged Andy Murray’s heroics in 2023 as the Serb admits it’s very admirable what the Briton has been doing at the start of the season. In the Australian Open first round, Murray saved a match point en route to stunning 2021 Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini.
In his next match at Melbourne Park, Murray came from two sets down to beat Tjhanasi Kokkinakis in a match that lasted nearly six hours. This past week in Doha, Murray saved three match points against Lorenzo Sonego en route to edging out the Italian in their first-round match.
In the Doha semifinal, Murray saved five match points to beat Jiri Lehecka for his first final in 2023. “What is happening now this year with his match points saved in literally every match he plays, the amount of hours he spent on the court since the beginning of the year, particularly in Australia, is just something you must admire and say ‘chapeau,'” Djokovic said, per Tennis Now.
Djokovic on Andy Murray: “What is happening now this year with his match points saved in literally every match he plays, the amount of hours he spent on the court since the beginning of the year, particularly in Australia, is just something you must admire and say ‘chapeau'” — TennisNow (@Tennis_Now) February 26, 2023
Murray mentioned Djokovic in Doha
After beating Lehecka for his first final of the 2023 season, Murray mentioned Djokovic and explained how saving match points creates a mental advantage.
“Someone like Novak has come back from very difficult situations, & certainly it has appeared that players think about it a bit when they are getting close to the finish line. That’s something I’m feeling a bit just now,” Murray said after his Doha semifinal win.
Meanwhile, Djokovic is playing in Dubai this week while Murray decided to withdraw from the event. After winning the Australian Open, Djokovic returned home to heal from a hamstring injury. Last week, Djokovic provided a very positive injury update and confirmed he was planning to return to action in Dubai.
In Dubai, Djokovic is a five-time champion and he is the top favorite to win his sixth title at the tournament this week.
