This morning the Scot, 34, is competing at the Australian Open, which has been mired in controversy after Djokovic, one of Murray’s main rivals in the tournament, was deported from the country. Djokovic arrived in the Serbian capital Belgrade on a flight from Dubai yesterday after losing his bid to stay in Australia because he is not vaccinated against COVID-19. The world number one’s hopes of defending his Australian Open title are in tatters after the country’s government upheld its decision to cancel his visa on public health grounds.
Despite a judge overturning the government’s initial decision to block Djokovic’s visa, it was cancelled for a second time on Sunday.
Murray expressed his sympathy with Djokovic over his visa cancellation, saying the Australian Open is “better when all of the top players are playing in the event”.
He also said the government had acted “last minute” and branded the situation “a mess”.
Despite Murray’s supportive remarks about Djokovic, the British star has previously admitted that Djokovic is not always perfect
He aired his views on Djokovic’s decision-making following the Serb’s ATP Finals defeat to Dominic Thiem in 2020.
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Murray argued that, while Djokovic did make some questionable calls in the game, the world number one rarely makes such slip-ups.
He said: “I think that’s one of the things – I’ve been through that at times through my career where mentally you’re not totally there and totally focused that one of the things that goes can be the shot selection in the important moments.
“The slightly wrong choices in the wrong moment.
“That’s the thing that Novak over his whole career but especially the last five, six years – he’s been better than anyone at that.
“Very rarely chooses the wrong option or wrong shot.
“You can’t win every week, you can’t play your best every week and mentally you can’t always be perfect so yeah, it’s been another good year for him but maybe he didn’t finish it as well as he liked.”
Murray will be hoping he is in his best form himself this morning as he plays his first match of the Australian Open.
The five-time finalist takes on Georgian 21st seed Nikoloz Basilashvili in Melbourne at 4am GMT.
The Scot, who has been awarded a wildcard entry to this year’s competition, beat Basilashvili in Australia in 2019.
Murray’s return to Melbourne Park comes three years after the British star announced at the Grand Slam that he thought he would have to retire from the sport due to a hip operation.
Among the other British stars joining Murray at the Australian Open is 19-year-old Emma Raducanu.
The teenager shocked the world last year with her historic victory at the US Open in New York.
The Australian Open will be shown live in the UK on Eurosport 1 and Eurosport 2.
