Roger Federer is surprised Sky Bet have made Andy Murray the favourite for the Australian Open.
Swiss ace surprised Brit is the favourite for the Australian Open
Roger Federer is surprised Sky Bet have made Andy Murray favourite for the Australian Open.
Murray has started the year in red-hot form, beating Federer twice on the way to back-to-back titles in 2009.
His hot streak has seen
Sky Bet install him as 9/4 favourite for the tournament with Federer 5/2 and Wimbledon champion Rafael Nadal 7/2.
But Swiss star Federer, who will be gunning for a record-equalling 14th grand slam title when the Australian Open kicks off next Monday, admitted he was shocked to learn that Murray had been installed as favourite.
"He's playing well and finished strongly last year. But I'm surprised that the bookies say that," Federer said ahead of the AAMI Classic which begins at Kooyong on Wednesday.
"He's never won a slam ... it's surprising to hear."
Murray, who lost to Federer in the final of the US Open, rocketed up to fourth in the world on the back of a breakthrough 2008 in which he won a career-high five ATP titles.
Confidence
"Andy's shown for a year that's he's knocking on the door. He's a good all-round player, has good tactics and he's full of confidence," Federer said.
"But winning a slam is a different animal. Not many guys have been able to win them over the last few years. Rafa and I have taken a lot of them.
"It doesn't happen that easily but he has a chance like many other players."
Federer, who missed last year's Australian Open warm-up tournament at Kooyong due to illness, said he was feeling fit and refreshed heading into the year's first grand slam.
"I'm really happy coming down under and I love playing here," he said.
"I'm coming off the US Open last year ... so I hope I can continue that here in Australia."
"But it's a new year and you never know what's going to happen. Many guys want to do the same thing I want to do."
Federer begins his AAMI Classic campaign against Carlos Moya.
