Slam the plan for Murray

Murray: Grand Slam company

I have to make sure I keep getting stronger physically and improve my game so if I do get in a situation where I'm in a Grand Slam final I'm better prepared.

Andy Murray
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Andy Murray says his recent results have fuelled his belief that he can win a Grand Slam title.

The 21-year-old will bring the curtain down on the most successful season of his fledgling career as one of the favourites to win the eight-man Masters Cup.

Murray has climbed to fourth in the world rankings after amassing five tournament wins this season, including back-to-back Masters Series victories, as well as reaching the final of the US Open where he lost to Roger Federer.

So impressive has Murray's run been that former greats Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe have publicly backed the Dunblane player to win a Grand Slam next season.

And the Scot believes the list of impressive scalps he has captured this season is an indication he has the ability to claim one of the sport's four most prestigious prizes.

Asked if he felt he was ready to do so, Murray said: "I don't think you ever know until you do it (but) my results would suggest that I am.

"I've played very well the last three or four months, making the final of the US Open. At Wimbledon I played pretty well and in the big tournaments since then. In the Masters Series I've obviously performed well.

"I have to make sure I keep getting stronger physically and improve my game so if I do get in a situation where I'm in a Grand Slam final I'm better prepared."

Backing

Murray, who believes the hard-court majors in Australia and America offer his best chance for top silverware, welcomed recent compliments from legends Borg and McEnroe.

"Any time you have any of the best players of all time are saying good things about you it can't be a bad thing," he said.

"For me, Borg was an incredible player and McEnroe was probably one of the most talented guys to play the game. They obviously know what they're talking about and if they're saying good things that's nice to hear."

But he said he was still far from matching the achievements of former British number ones Fred Perry and Tim Henman.

"Fred Perry was a great player; Tim Henman was also a great player. He was around at the top of tennis for 12 years or so and did great in all the Grand Slams," Murray said.

"So to be mentioned along with those two guys is great but I still have a long way to achieve what they did."

Murray underlined his success in the second half of the year was mostly down to a punishing fitness regime he decided to undertake at the end of last season.

"I worked very hard on that in December last year," he added.

"I think that's why my results got better as this year went on. I didn't only work on lifting weights, I also worked on my speed as well."

Murray has been drawn alongside Andy Roddick, against whom he opens his campaign on Monday, Gilles Simon and Roger Federer in the Red Group in Shanghai.

Next season

After the action in China is completed, Murray will turn his attention to January's Australian Open, although he admits he is ready to enjoy some well-earned rest.

"First of all I'm looking forward to having a bit of a break," he said.

"Once I start training in December I will have that (the Australian Open) as my goal, to get ready for that and try and get in the best possible shape so that I can give it my best shot there.

"It's a long time before the Australian Open and the first few matches of next year are a long way away," he said.

"No one really knows what's going to happen in the off-season, some guys might improve a lot.

"I will enjoy this week and worry about the Australian Open in a few months."