Why Andy Murray Has a Chance to Be Even Better in 2017 Than He Was in 2016

Andy Murray just completed the best year of his career. Next season could be even better.

Last Sunday, Murray defeated Novak Djokovic in straight sets at the 2016 ATP World Tour Finals in London to capture his first year-end championship title and retain the No. 1 ranking.

Even as he celebrated his victory, Murray's thoughts turned to next year. 

"These next few years, obviously I want to try and make them the best of my career, try and win as much as I can. But it's going to be tough because, as you get older, the young guys are going to keep improving and getting better," Murray told the Daily Mail. 

Reaching No. 1 was a lifelong dream, but there's no reason 2017 can't be better. Murray will enter the new season ranked a spot higher than he was when 2016 began. He won't have the added wear-and-tear on his legs from a hard-fought Davis Cup final. His biggest threat, Djokovic, has to defend Australian Open title points right out of the gate.

If Murray gets off to a fast start, he could quickly amass a huge lead over Djokovic, who has 4,250 ranking points to defend before the clay-court season. Murray only has to defend 1,290. 

Julian Finney/Getty Images

Murray also has more stability in his camp. The same can't be said of Djokovic.

Remember, Amelie Mauresmo was Murray's coach the first half of 2016. Now Ivan Lendl, who coached the Brit to three Grand Slam titles, two Olympic gold medals and the No. 1 ranking, is back in Murray's corner.

Meanwhile, Djokovic is struggling with confidence and upheaval in his coaching ranks. 

"If Murray has found the perfect balance with his entourage, Djokovic appears to be losing faith with his backroom team. Head coach Boris Becker has been going to fewer events in recent weeks and Djokovic did little last week to deny the rumours that the German will not be in his box next year," wrote the Telegraph's Charlie Eccleshare.  

Of course, Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal will return. However, they have slipped in the rankings and will face challenges of their own. Neither Federer nor Nadal has won a Grand Slam in more than two years. In fact, Stan Wawrinka has won three Slams since Federer's last major title, Wimbledon 2012. 

Still, Murray is aware that those two, along with Wawrinka and young talented players, present a challenge to his new status atop the ATP tour. 

That's why instead of resting on his ranking, Murray is committed to fine-tuning his game. 

"I would imagine Novak will be back, strong as ever, for next year, so I need to keep improving, work hard in the off-season and hopefully start the year strong," he told Matt Westby of Sky Sports.

Getting to the top wasn't easy, but then again, nothing ever is for Murray.

Pointing out the Brit's hard road to glory, ESPN's Johnette Howard wrote: "Murray has rarely accomplished anything great quickly. It's just not his M.O. But his career-long habit of stubbornly persevering, come what may, is precisely what lifted and distinguished him in a men's tennis year that became a war of attrition by the end of 2016."

This year, Murray cleared significant hurdles that may have been mental blocks to moving forward. He won his first clay-court title (Rome), defended his gold medal and may have turned a corner in his rivalry with Djokovic. 

Murray has won two of their last three meetings to finish 2-3 against Djokovic this year. It's Murray's best record against Djokovic since 2012. Murray was 0-4 against Djokovic in 2015 and 1-6 in 2015. 

By reaching No. 1, Murray narrowed the achievement gap between him and other players in the Big Four.  

It's been tough for Murray to distinguish himself in an era of all-time greats. He never had Federer's grace and shot selection. He'll never dominate grass the way Nadal lords over clay. He's not the new-age emperor of efficiency like Djokovic.

Yet Murray has built a fortress of mental and physical stamina that will serve him well as he fights to fend off those who wish to knock him off the top.