Andy Murray heads to Abu Dhabi in bid for Aussie Open glory

Andy Murray hits a return to Rafeal Nadal during the launch of 2016 Mubadala Tennis Championship at Al Maryah Island in Abu Dhabi. Picture: Francois Nel/Getty Images

The Scot ended the 2016 tour at the top of the ATP Rankings after claiming both the Wimbledon and Olympic crowns, and defeating previous top seed Novak Djokovic to win the year-ending ATP World Tour Finals in London.

More than a month on from that victory, Murray faces  David Goffin in the semi-finals of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship, which Rafael Nadal and Milos Raonic have also entered, before heading to Doha for the Qatar Open next week after deciding to enter a Tour event prior to the Australian Open.

It is the first time in three years Murray has elected to take such an approach and his hope is that can help him be victorious in Melbourne, where he is a five-time runner up.

“This year I just fancy doing something different,” Murray said. “It hasn’t worked for me at the Aussie Open in the last few years. Probably nothing to do with my preparations, but it [going to Doha] splits the journey a little bit as well. So to split that trip up from doing one long trip to Australia might help. But I have enjoyed playing in Abu Dhabi and Doha in the past. I have had some success in Doha, so hopefully it will work well for me.

“It seems to have worked well for Novak as well over the years; hopefully it works for me too.”