What Andy Murray's Loss to Novak Djokovic Means for French Open 2016

Andy Murray's Australian Open dream was once again ended by Novak Djokovic in Sunday's final. The hard-working Brit fell to his longtime rival, who stroked his way to a 6-1, 7-5, 7-6 victory in front of the Melbourne crowd.

Murray, 28, had been considered a co-favorite with Djokovic in the pre-tournament buildup. He entered Australia with a refreshed outlook, saying he hoped the world No. 1's play would finally start seeing a tapering off.

"You just have to keep trying to learn, watch his matches, see if there are any weaknesses you can capitalize on," Murray told BBC Sport. "Maybe he has a drop-off. It's very difficult to maintain that level for such a long period."

Instead, it'll be Murray who is dropping off. He has now lost four times in the Australian Open final to Djok, including last season. He entered this year's event with the specter of becoming a father weighing on his shoulders.

"A lot of people have asked how (the baby) will affect my career. Number one is that the baby obviously becomes the priority and tennis is my second priority," Murray told reporters. "I'm looking forward to it, it's exciting. It's going to be a big challenge, but hopefully I can be a good dad."

Murray will now look forward to the French Open, which doesn't start until May. There will be a four-month span for Murray to fix what ails his game—or for him to fall into a deeper spiral. There is really no way to know what's going to happen because whatever positive or negative momentum he carries over from Melbourne won't still be there in late spring. 

Clay and hard courts are two vastly different playing surfaces that require different disciplines. Murray's history on clay is far more instructive than Sunday's result. While he's made the semifinals each of the last two years, Murray has never made a final and holds his worst record overall at the four major championships in France.

The most logical way to spin this is that it's highly unlikely Murray will win a Slam before Wimbledon, which has been by far his best of the four, anyway.