"Ideally in the latter stages of big tournaments": Andy Murray wants chance to face Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal again ahead of 2024 season

Andy Murray has acknowledged his eagerness to compete against Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal once again during the 2024 season, expressing his intention to make it happen in the later rounds of tournaments. The former world No. 1 will be participating in the ATP 250 Brisbane International Open, taking place from December 31, 2023, to January 7, 2024.

The British player shares the draw with Nadal, who is making his official return to the ATP Tour in Brisbane with a wild card. In the draw, both Murray and Nadal have been placed in the lower half, with the possibility of facing each other only in a hypothetical semifinal.

With Nadal's comeback to the courts, likely in what could be his last season as a professional, Murray expressed his desire to compete against two of his greatest career rivals. "I would like the opportunity to play against (Djokovic and Nadal) again, ideally in the latter stages of big tournaments. That’s something that, you know, obviously I’ve missed that feeling and not had that opportunity really."

Indeed, 'Rafa' and 'Nole' are two of the players Andy Murray has faced the most. Against the Serbian, he has played more matches than against any other player, with 36 encounters between 2006 and 2017 and a record of 11 wins to 25 losses (31%). In contrast, facing Nadal, there were 24 duels between 2007 and 2016, with a record of 7 wins to 17 losses (29%).

“Well, I can’t remember the last time I played them to be honest. So yeah, it’s been a really long time. If I get the opportunity to practice with the, I still really, really enjoy that, it does bring back some good memories,” 3-times Grand Slam champion added. “Ideally I would want to be doing that in the tournaments, you know, and not in the first rounds, I’d like to be doing in the latter stages if I can,” he concluded.