Andy Murray has made one big change this season which Roger Federer also did

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Andy Murray has been speaking about the changes he has made to his game this season in an effort to boost his longevity and keep his level high.

The Scotsman is currently facing Denis Shapovalov in the Dubai Tennis Championship’s round of 32.

He will be hoping to claim just his second victory of 2024, having been dumped out of the Qatar Open by an impressive Jakub Mensik after beating Alexandre Muller in the opener.

But what changes has Murray made in an effort to emulate Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer? We take a closer look…

What Andy Murray has changed this season

Speaking live on Sky Sports Tennis earlier today, previewing his clash with the Canadian 24-year-old, he revealed the alterations he has made in recent months.

At the elite level, string tension can prove so pivotal for athletes seeking to grasp whatever marginal gains they can possibly attain.

It seems that this has been his focus of late, as he noted: ‘I have always played with the natural gut in the cross strings of my racquet and then in the off-season I changed to it in the main strings of my racquet, which is a set up which Novak and Federer used.

‘It gives a little bit easier depth to the ball, the ball comes off the racquet at a slightly higher angle than when I played with it the other way. I really like it but it’s different when you go on a match, because I have used the other string for about 20 years – so then you go into matches and start playing and do things a bit naturally and then you are not winning matches.

‘I was thinking about going back before Doha but decided to stick with it and I’m sure as the season goes on I will feel a bit more comfortable with it, but I feel like it’s the right thing for my game at the stage of my career that I am at.’

Roger Federer is a good man to try and emulate

If there is anyone throughout tennis worth emulating, current company excluded in the Serbian, it is Federer.

The Swiss maestro is widely regarded as one of the masters of the sport, who had a splendid blend of clinical brilliance which helped him win the lot, alongside the style that earned him so many adoring fans.

It is a testament to his legend that even today he is still wildly celebrated, with clips of his past matches played on repeat for all to marvel at.

His one-handed backhand is undoubtedly one of tennis’ most graceful and deadly shots.

So, if Murray has ambitions of emulating the 20-time Grand Slam winner, who played until he was 40, then so be it.

Federer is a fine role model for all players, at every level and at every age. A model professional and a true gentleman, let’s hope that this racquet tweak is enough to help Murray enjoy a second wind in a magnificent career that has stalled in recent months.