"Some of the results have been aided by Novak not being able to play in Australia this year" - Murray believes Next Gen rise aided by Djokovic absenc

2022 saw several young players make huge steps in their young careers and Andy Murray thinks it had to do with the absence of Novak Djokovic.

Djokovic missed a huge chunk of the year unable to play in Australia or North America. The Serbian missed the Sunshine Double earlier in the year and the two other Masters events as well as the Australian Open and US Open.

Some of those events were won by youngsters such as Carlos Alcaraz and Andy Murray thinks it might not have been the case had Djokovic been able to play. He did praise Alcaraz for what he did this year:

"I think what Alcaraz has done this year has been special. I think also, what's happened in the last few years - and yes, there is always going to be a time when a generation passes or comes to the end of their career - but some of the results have been aided by Novak not being able to play in Australia this year."

He added:

"He didn't play at the US Open either and arguably is still the best player in the world. And I think that has also influenced some of the results a little bit. The best guys are getting older and are playing much less. They're not competing in all of the tournaments and it's giving opportunities now for all of the other players."