Andy Murray is insistent he was never happy with the potential threat to boycott the Australian Open over the matter of prize money and applauded the reaction of the tournament organizers to raise the cash on offer to $Aus30 million.
Murray spoke to Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley on the subject earlier this week in Shanghai and said: “It sounds like the talks went pretty well, which is good and I think the Australian Open has stepped up really well.
“They’ve obviously listened to the players and the ATP World Tour and have made a real effort to improve things. From my side, I never viewed striking at the Australian Open as a real option.
“Of all the players I’ve spoken to so far, everyone’s been very happy with the increases in the prize money and their plan over the next few years, as well. Hopefully that’s something we won’t need to worry about for a while.”
Murray, semi-finalist at this year’s Australian Open and twice a beaten finalist, is intent on following on from his U.S. Open triumph with a second Grand Slam title in Melbourne in January and revealed: “I actually prefer the court at the Australian Open to the U.S. Open. And I prefer the balls they use as well.
“I think the surface at Melbourne Park is probably a little bit better for me. I feel I played some of my best tennis there over the last few years. I love the Rod Laver Arena, I like the conditions and it’s a good court for me. “
©Daily Tennis News Wire
Topics: Andy Murray, Australian Open 2013, Australian tennis news, British tennis news, Craig Tiley, Murray, Tennis News