Djokovic still the biggest rival: Murray
DOHA: Andy Murray, who was knighted in Queen Elizabeth's New Year's Honours List, insisted that Novak Djokovic will remain his biggest threat in 2017, as the pair prepare for a potential first clash of the season at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open.
The world No.1 said the Serb would continue to make life tough for him on court this year.
"In terms of the No.1 ranking, Novak would be (the biggest threat)," said Murray at the pre-event Press conference here on Sunday.
"I had a great sort of four, five months at the end of last year and I still only got to No.1 by one match basically at the end the year, so I know it will be very tough to stay there," added Murray.
At the Qatar ExxonMobil Open being held at the hard courts of Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, Murray has been given the top billing and if matches go to form, it will set up a mouth-watering final clash with defending champion Djokovic, who is seeded second.
Djokovic begins his title defence against Germany's Jan-Lennard Struff on Monday while Murray's first-round match is against France's Jeremy Chardy on Tuesday.
