AP, Perth :
Andy Murray has made an impressive start to the new year despite being troubled by left shoulder soreness as he prepares for the January 19 start of the Australian Open.
The 27-year-old winner of the 2012 U.S. Open and 2013 Wimbledon played an exhibition in Abu Dhabi where he beat Feliciano Lopez and Rafael Nadal, then represented Britain at the Hopman Cup team event in Perth with Heather Watson.
Murray beat France’s Benoit Paire, Poland’s Jerzy Janowicz and Australia’s Marinko Matosevic, all in straight sets, despite the shoulder complaint he thinks he picked up in Abu Dhabi.
The Scotsman says he’s content to not play in a tournament until the Australian Open, heading instead to Melbourne Park.
“Instead of playing a match, one of the days I might use as a rest day to recover and hopefully I can get six or seven good days on-site before the tournament starts,” he said.
Murray had some personal and professional updates late last year.
In November, he said he planned to marry his long-time girlfriend Kim Sears.
