After a couple weeks of uncertainty Andy Murray has confirmed that he will compete at the World Tour Finals in London which will begin on November 15th.
There has been doubts surrounding Murray’s attendance at the tournament after he hinted that he could skip the tournament to prepare for Great Britain’s Davis Cup final against Belgium, which is a week after the ATP Finals. The ATP Finals will be played on a hard-court whilst the Davis Cup final will be on clay. The Brit has confirmed that he will prepare for the two tournaments on clay. A decision that could have a negative impact on his ATP Finals performance.
“The plan is to play the 02 but to prepare on the clay,’ Murray Said.
‘ I’m sort of sacrificing the preparations for the 02 to get a better opportunity at the Davis Cup”.
Great Britain will be bidding to claim their first Davis Cup title since 1936 when they take on Belgium in Ghent. It is the first time they have been in the final of the tournament since 1978. In the semifinals Murray won both of his singles matches as well as the doubles with his brother Jamie to secure his team’s place in the final.
Despite playing in the ATP Finals in his home country at the O2 Arena in London, Murray has openly admitted that the event is not the most important event for him as he bids to guide Great Britain to their tenth Davis Cup title.
“Davis Cup is the most important event for me between now and the end of the year, that’s the one I care most about. That’s just how I feel, I can’t change that”. The 28-year-old said.
The world No.3 will return to action this week at the BNP Paribas Masters in Paris. The Brit has had a disappointing record at the tournament. It is the only Masters tournament where Murray hasn’t reached the semifinal stage. On five occasions the 28-year-old have reached the last eight in Paris, including last year where he lost to Novak Djokovic. Murray will also be reunited with coach Amelie Mauresmo, who took a break from coaching after giving birth to her first child. According to The Daily Mail, the two will conduct ‘a mini training block’ this week.
Murray has a first round bye in this week’s tournament and will face a tricky second round encounter against either Borna Coric or Fernando Verdasco. Murray is also on course for a third round match against Belgium’s David Goffin in what will be vital preparation for both men ahead of the Davis Cup final.
