Gap not closing at top, says Murray

Andy Murray believes the gap between the top two or three in men’s tennis and the chasing pack of young stars has not closed, despite Daniil Medvedev’s superb run of form over the past four months.

“I expected the final in Melbourne to be closer. But it’s different standing to return or to serve in a Grand Slam final than a quarter-final or a semi,” he said.

“When you’re coming up against someone who’s won 17 of them it’s pretty intimidating.

“Obviously at the US Open, Dominic Thiem did what he had to do to win the event. But if Novak hadn’t put a ball through the line judge’s throat, it would have been the same outcome I think.

“The guys have been at the top for so long that they have won on every surface and have been really good on all courts.”

Murray admitted he hasn’t watched much tennis on TV, saying it was a ‘struggle’.

“I stopped following all the tennis players on social media and stuff because I just didn’t really want to see it,” he said.

Murray returns to ATP Tour action this week in Montpellier with a first round match against Egor Gerasimov of Belarus.