Andy Murray believes Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer competing in full health at the Tour makes tennis better. The Scot also wishes for Federer and Nadal to have an injury-free campaign next season.
World No. 2 Andy Murray opened up about Federer and Nadal's stint next year following a disappointing 2016 season from the Swiss Maestro and King of Clay. Murray, a three-time Grand Slam winner and two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, said it would be great for tennis to have both Federer and Nadal "injury-free," insisting that the "two best players of all time" make the sport better.
"I think it would be great if Rafa and Roger could get through the year sort of injury-free and be playing their best level again, because I think tennis is better when they're around," Murray said, reports Tennis World USA.
"They're two of the best players of all time, and, you know, that's been unfortunate this year. So hopefully, you know, they are both fit and healthy next year, and I think that's good for the game."
Both Federer and Nadal struggled this season, and their current place in the world rankings only shows how they were unable to play at a high level. For the first time in 13 years, Federer and Nadal are out of the world's top four, and continue to slip down the rankings, with the Spaniard and Swiss at Nos. 6 and 8, respectively.
Meanwhile, Murray is on the driver's seat to dethrone world No. 1 Novak Djokovic from the top of the ATP world rankings. Murray, who has been consistent all-season long, is just 2,415 points behind the Serb in the ladderboard, insisting that he now has a better chance of realizing such feat following his win at the Shanghai Masters.
"For sure I have a chance just now. I'm not suggesting I have no chance of getting to No 1. I'm just still aware how difficult it is going to be to get there. I have never had success like I have had the last few months in my career so to keep that going, I'm aware it's going to be a difficult thing to do," Murray added.
Murray will return to tennis action at the Erste Bank Open 500 in Vienna before joining Djokovic to compete at the BNP Paribas Open later this month and the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in November.
Video courtesy: YouTube/celebrity events