Andy Murray says he’s proud of being able to compete with the world’s best tennis player again, but wants to be “clinical and tough” when opportunities arise.

The former world number 1 traveled to Vienna in good spirits after losing since the US Open to Hubert Hurkacz, Casper Ruud and Alexander Zverev.

Murray beat Frances Tiafoe in the longest three-set game of the year at the European Open in Antwerp last week before losing to runner-up Diego Schwartzman in the second round.

And despite some tough failures, Murray says his recent performance is reassuring.

– He was better. Since the season on the pitch after the US Open, she has played really well – said Murray, who will start with Hurkacz, the player he has beaten at Cincinnati and Metz this season.

“I played better tennis at the US Open. Since then, it has improved week by week. It wasn’t perfect, but I had chances and chances for most of the games, and it certainly wasn’t the grass season and the few games she played before the US Open.

“I had decent wins and solid games against great players.”

Murray, who climbed 16 spots to 156 in the most recent rankings, has continued his path since hip surgery in 2019.

“It was amazing that I could even go back and play,” Murray said.

“Some of the results I got will say ‘Oh, he doesn’t beat the top players enough, or he has to be better. “But I shouldn’t be better than what I am with my body and what I do. It’s already happened.”

“I don’t think there are a lot of players who would be able to compete with the top five hip metal players.

“I’m proud of myself because I put myself in a position to compete with these players. But in the end, if I want to return to a level close to the previous one, I have to win these matches. “

The Scotsman won league titles in Vienna in 2014 and 2016 and is hoping to go far in this year’s tournament despite a tough opening draw with world number 10 Hurkacz in Poland.

“I have to be more rational and tougher when opportunities present themselves,” said the 34-year-old.

“It was one of the things when I was at the top, it was a strong part of my game and I have to come back to it.

“When my chances present themselves, I will take them and I will be clinical. Complete these matches when you move on and don’t think that more chances will present themselves because when you play with the best players you don’t get any fees. “

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