5 things Andy Murray Can Aim For In 2017

A Career Grand Slam

Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer are three of the only eight players to win a Career Slam

Murray has three Grand Slam titles, but two of those are at the same venue – Wimbledon. At this point, it is Swiss Stan Wawrinka who is closer to a career Grand Slam than Murray – and incidentally, it is only the Wimbledon trophy that is missing from the Swiss’ extensive cabinet.

While Murray has had success in the past year on grass, clay and hard courts, winning Grand Slams on those surfaces has evaded him. It is a funny quandary, especially given his opponents have been largely similar.

It is likely, then, that the scale of the tournament has gotten to Murray, who has arguably never been at the level of Novak Djokovic or Roger Federer when it comes down to psychological battles and mental power. The easily aggravated Murray, who has of late managed to tone down his temper, has nevertheless struggled to hold his aggravation at crucial moments – and this may be key in some big losses.

A win at the Australian Open, which Murray could achieve in his current form, would get him closer to the elusive Career Slam, which even 13-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic only completed in 2016 with his maiden French Open title.

It is by no means an easy feat – only eight players in the history of the sport have ever achieved it, among them Murray’s peers, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and the latest entrant to that club, Novak Djokovic. It will mean Murray needs to win two Grand Slam titles this year – but if his past season has been any precedent, it is a feat he can achieve.