Andy Murray shuns lengthy break following Davis Cup heroics and sets sights on ending Australian Open heartache
He may have almost single-handedly ended Great Britain’s 79-year wait to be crowned world champions again, but Andy Murray insists he is not about to rest on his laurels yet.
The Scot, whose heroics earned Britain victory over Belgium in the final of the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas on Sunday, is already targeting more history in what promises to be a special 2016 on and off court.
Murray hopes his triumphant end to the season can help him finally win the Australian Open early next year, having suffered defeat in the final for a fourth time 10 months ago.
To boost his chances he is having only minimal rest before resuming training in Dubai next week, in the knowledge he has set aside time off in February for the birth of his first child.
“The most important thing is, yes, enjoy it now, but don’t let it go on for like three weeks and stop practising hard and going to the gym and doing everything properly,” he said on Monday.
“I need to train really hard in the off-season if I want to have a chance of making this count for next year. But it’s definitely given me a boost going into the off-season.
“I’ve played more matches this year than any other year and my body’s responded really well to it, which is good. In February I know that I’m not going to be playing any events.
“I can rest now, start training for Australia and give everything I’ve got there and then I know I get a break. It might not be so much of a break, but I’ll be away from the court for a few weeks.”
Murray, who won his two singles rubbers and a doubles alongside brother Jamie to beat the hosts in Ghent, believes his refusal to be overawed by a fervent home crowd will prove valuable experience.
“Playing in an atmosphere like that – it was so loud, there was a lot of booing and whistling – mentally it is good to go through matches like that and I hope I can use it to my advantage in the future,” he added.
Murray and the rest of Britain’s team joined friends, family and some supporters who made the trip despite security concerns to celebrate their landmark success on Sunday night.
“It was a pretty good night,” he said. “I’s a big achievement to win an event like this. All of understand this will be one of the best moments in our careers regardless of what anyone goes on to achieve after this.”