Andy Murray on clash with Novak Djokovic: ‘I’m playing with a metal hip, so I shouldn’t have a chance’

Andy Murray admits that he “should have no chance in the match” against Novak Djokovic, but after so many setbacks the past few years he is determined to “enjoy it”.

The duo will meet for a 37th time in top level tennis when they square off in the third round of the Madrid Open after Murray upset 14th seed Denis Shapovalov while Djokovic defeated Gael Monfils in straight sets.

THIS IS NOT A DRILL

Murray and Djokovic meet again for the first time in FIVE years!@DjokerNole @andy_murray #MMOPEN pic.twitter.com/03UQJJiGel

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) May 3, 2022

Djokovic leads their head-to-head 25-11 with their last meeting in Doha in January 2017 as they both struggled with injury that season while Murray also missed the bulk of the 2018 and 2019 seasons after undergoing two career-saving hip operations.

Thursday’s meeting will be a clash of the titans, but they are at different stages of their career as Djokovic is the world No 1 while Murray has worked his way back up into the top 100 in the ATP Rankings after dropping outside the top 800 at one point.

The Scot knows he will be the underdog, but is looking forward to the challenge.

“In theory I should have no chance in the match. He’s obviously No 1 in the world [and] I’m playing with a metal hip, so I shouldn’t have a chance in the match,” the three-time major winner said. “It’s a great opportunity for me to see where my game’s at and to play against him again.

“We’ve had so many great battles over the years in some of the biggest tournaments in the world. We played in the final I think of all four Grand Slams, we played here in the final, and I haven’t had that opportunity to play against him for a long time. Didn’t know if I ever would get that chance, so I’ll enjoy it,