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Page last updated at 22:23 GMT, Monday, 5 January 2009

Murray excited by son's progress

Andy Murray
Andy Murray is targeting his first Grand Slam title

Andy Murray's impressive form could see him win his first Grand Slam title this year, according to his mother Judy.

After watching him beat Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in Abu Dhabi, Murray said her son's game had improved.

"I know that his goal for this year is to win a Slam, but he's sensible enough to know that will be really tough to do," she told BBC Sport.

She said the hard courts at the Australian and US Opens offered her son his best chance of a Grand Slam.

The British number one is now in Doha for the Qatar Open and faces Spain's Albert Montanes in the first round.

Murray said her son was excited about the upcoming Australian Open and the US Open later in the year.

"I think he feels he's most comfortable in New York," she said. "He won the junior title there four years ago and he always gets huge support from the crowds over there."

And with the Australian Open just two weeks away, Murray believes her son's game is improving all the time.

Mother predicts big year for Murray

"I hope he achieves everything he wants to this year," she said.

"Last year was a cracking one for him. To finish number four in the world, secure five titles and make the final of a Grand Slam was really exceptional.

"He knows that if it doesn't happen this year, then it's not the end of the world. He'll just keep working away until he eventually gets there.

"Andy worked really hard in the off-season with physical trainers and he paid really good attention to his diet and put on about four kilos of muscle."

Murray said her son was aware his game could be improved in certain areas.

"That's what's still so exciting," she said. "He could still improve his percentage on his first serve and get more depth on his second serve.

"And I think he could also improve around the net, particularly on his backhand volley."

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Murray collected US$250,000 for winning the event in Abu Dhabi, but Judy said he was more interested in beating his rivals.

"He's happy where he is at the moment," she said. "For him it's not about the money at all.

"But obviously, he's got a team to pay for and expenses to pay for. So you need to be earning money to cover what you're paying out."

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see also
Murray v Nadal as it happened
03 Jan 09 |  Tennis
Tennis stars kick off 2009
04 Jan 09 |  Tennis
Murray v Federer as it happened
02 Jan 09 |  Tennis
Murray signs with Beckham agent
30 Dec 08 |  Tennis


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