"I hope to stay there for a long time, but it's hard"
Wednesday 26 April 2017 13:06, UK
Andy Murray has said that he hopes to stay as world No 1 "for a long time" despite a frustrating start to 2017 and tough competition.
Murray announced he would continue his comeback from his elbow injury in Barcelona this week in a bid to build match fitness and clock up much-needed clay court time before the French Open.
It has been a tough start to 2017 for Murray after finishing last year as the worlds top-ranked player.
Murray's run of 28 consecutive wins was brought to an end by Novak Djokovic in Doha in January, while world No 35 Mischa Zverev ended his hopes of a maiden Australian Open title in Melbourne.
Murray won his first tournament of the year in Dubai, but was then stunned by world No 129 Vasek Pospisil at Indian Wells and suffered a shock exit at the hands of Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vinolas last week in Monte Carlo.
The 29-year-old, who spent his formative years training at the local Sanchez-Casal Academy, has worked hard to climb the tennis ladder and he is determined to remain at the top.
"You feel really proud at having reached the highest point, and I hope to stay there for a long time, but it's hard," Murray told the official ATP website.
"It took me 12 years to get there, and the physical and mental effort it took to do it last year was enormous. It's not easy to stay there, but I hope I can.
"It's always hard to maintain your ranking at the top of the game. A lot of the young ones are starting to play better and better, so it's going to be tough."
On Monday Murray visited the world renowned Sanchez-Casal Academy, where he spent two years training as a junior, and he received a tribute from students and staff before stepping on to a court which has been named after him.
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