Andy Murray (Photo : Getty Images)
Andy Murray is now in prime position to top the ATP world rankings for the first time in his career after current world's no.1 Novak Djokovic withdrew from China Open.
Murray, 29, is behind Djokovic by more than 4,500 points in the ATP rankings but there are still few big tournaments left, including two ATP Masters 1000 events (Shanghai and Paris) and the season-ender ATP World Tour Finals in London.
Murray, the reigning Wimbledon Open champion, is aiming not only for his first reign as world's no.1 but as the first ever Briton to hold the top spot in the world rankings.
As for Djokovic, the elbow injury that hampered him throughout his US Open championships campaign continues to bother him. The six-time China Open champion released a statement this week, expressing his remorse of not extending his 29-match winning streak in Beijing.
"I am extremely disappointed not to be able to compete at the China Open this year," Djokovic told his official website via International Business Times. "I'm still recovering from my elbow injury and have been advised not to play until my condition improves. I will continue with my rehabilitation and hope to be able to return to the ATP Tour as soon as possible.
"The China Open is one of my favourite tournaments. I have had a lot of success there, winning the title six times. I love competing in front of the passionate Chinese fans and I look forward to coming back to Beijing in the future."
After a dominant 2015 season where he won 3 of 4 Grand Slam titles available, Djokovic settled with two majors titles this year, including a French Open that completed a career Grand Slam for him. However, his Wimbledon Open defense ended up in a third round exit while he succumbed to Stanislas Wawrinka in the finals of the US Open.
