• Australian Open

Murray deserves to win a grand slam - Djokovic

ESPN staff
January 12, 2011
Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray are good friends on the tennis circuit © Getty Images
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Novak Djokovic believes Andy Murray deserves to win the Australian Open, and has tipped the British No. 1 to end the wait for his first grand slam title.

Murray has twice been thwarted in a final by 16-time champion Roger Federer, but Djokovic believes Murray has what it takes to join tennis' elite. Djokovic's only grand slam success came in Melbourne three years ago, and the Serb will be keen to add to his major tally, but failing that, he knows who he wants to triumph Down Under.

"I wish him to win definitely and the next chance he has I am sure he's going to take because he's been working hard," Djokovic said.

"Hard work will pay off; I know that from my personal experience. I think he deserves it and he has all he needs to have in order to be a grand slam champion. He's already played two grand slam finals and he's been winning against everyone at the top of men's tennis."

Djokovic's 2008 Australian Open triumph came against outsider Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, and he knows facing Federer in the final would have been an altogether different prospect.

"It's hard mentally to make that extra step," Djokovic said. "He lost both his finals to Federer and we all know that both Federer and Nadal are incredibly strong mentally.

"Even in the later stages of a grand slam when most players are starting to get tired, it seems they take it to another level. They feel you are tired and getting satisfied with being in the finals or semi-finals."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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