Tennis superstar Andy Murray is not ready to hang up his racket as he is eager to add more notable success to his already rich collection before he retires. The three-time Grand Slam champion has been taking care of his damaged hip since his Wimbledon quarter-final loss in July. Murray, who entered the 2017 season ranked No. 1 in the world, has since fallen to No. 16.
The Scot fulfilled his big dream and goal when he finally became the top-ranked player in the world for the first time in November of 2016. Moving forward, Murray hopes to get back his health to 100 percent and be able to contend for the biggest titles as he insists ranking is not the number one priority for him.
"The major competitions are the ones that drive me more than the ranking. I want to compete - it was tough for me basically limping out of Wimbledon at the end," former world No. 1 Murray told Sky Sports' Jacquie Beltrao.
Murray sets eyes on Melbourne
Though sidelined for the last six months, Murray is still hoping to be able to put on a winning run at the upcoming Australian Open. The three-time Grand Slam champion has played at Melbourne Park regularly since his debut Australian Open appearance -- which came in 2006. It is a shocker that the 30-year-old still hasn't won it all at Melbourne Park as he has been of the players that have performed well at the event in the last decade. Murray is a five-time Australian Open runner-up as he lost to Roger Federer in the 2010 Australian Open final before he picked up four finals losses suffered to Novak Djokovic.
He will also be looking to make amends for his disappointing 2017 Australian Open campaign -- which saw him lose in round-of-16.
Murray told Sky Sports' Jacquie Beltrao that he wants to be "competing hard" and "trying" to make it all the way at Melbourne Park and the remaining Majors. The former world No. 1 added that's what he "ultimately" wants to be doing before he noted that "first and foremost" he needs to healthy.
A rough season
The 2017 campaign was one of the most disappointing and arguably the worst one of Murray's career. Murray won nine titles and reached his career-high ranking of No. 1 in 2016. After battling with shingles early on this year -- then an elbow injury and lastly a frustrating hip problem -- the Scot just couldn't perform at a high level.
Murray won only one title this year -- February at the ATP 500 event in Dubai. However, the 30-year-old hopes the new year will bring new luck as wants to forget a nightmare 2017.
"I was pretty unhealthy for most of this year, and I am getting there, but it is a slow process," three-time Grand Slam champion Murray confessed to Sky Sports' Jacquie Beltrao.
