Murray claimed win No.500 at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships this week as he defeated Denis Shapovalov to reach the second round.
The Briton came from a set down to beat the Canadian 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-3 and extend his winning record in the opening round in Dubai to 8-0.
The three-time Grand Slam champion and former world No. 1 is just the fifth man in the Open Era to reach that number, joining four of the biggest legends in the sport on a very exclusive list.
Most career hard-court wins (men, Open Era):
783: Roger Federer
700: Novak Djokovic
592: Andre Agassi
518: Rafael Nadal
500: Andy Murray
Since turning pro in 2005, Murray has won 34 ATP titles on hard courts – including the US Open (2012), ATP Finals (2016), Olympics (2016) and 12 ATP Masters trophies.
This is his 735th career win in total, meaning that he now overtakes Spain’s David Ferrer as 14th of all-time.
Asked about joining the exclusive 500 club with old rivals Federer, Djokovic and Nadal, Murray added: “It’s not bad!
“Hard courts have been a great surface for me over the years. 500 is a lot of matches. I’m very proud of that, obviously the list that you’ve given me, there’s not many players who have done that, so great to get to 500 before I’m done.”
Speaking after the win, Murray, 36, said: “I probably don’t have too long left but I’ll do as best as I can these last few months.
“I still love competing and still love the game but it gets harder and harder to compete the older you get, to keep your body fit and fresh.”
Up next for Murray in the second round will be one of two Frenchmen – Ugo Humbert, the No. 5 seed this week, or Gael Monfils, a wild card into the draw.
The tours say good-bye to February, and single-gender events, with few tournaments across three continents this week.
Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships (ATP)
26 February – 2 March
After Rotterdam and Rio de Janeiro, the ATP 500 action continues in the 2024 season at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, where defending champion Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev, Hubert Hurkacz and Andy Murray are among the field.
Abierto Mexicano Telcel (ATP)
26 February – 2 March
The ATP Tour will be back in Mexico for the 31st edition of the Abierto Mexicano Telcel, scheduled to be held in Acapulco.
The top eight seeds – Alexander Zverev, Holger Rune, Alex De Minaur, Taylor Fritz, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Casper Ruud, Tommy Pul, and Frances Tiafoe – make for a strong lineup.
San Diego Open (WTA)
26 February – 3 March
The Hologic WTA Tour returns to the United States for the conclusion of the spring hard-court season, as the tour goes coast-to-coast over the next five weeks. The Cybiotika San Diego Open will enjoy its new spot in the spring calendar to host a WTA 500-level tournament at the Barnes Tennis Center.
World No.5 Jessica Pegula leads the field in San Diego. It will be Pegula’s first tournament since the Australian Open. She withdrew from the Middle East swing due to a neck injury. San Diego will also be Pegula’s first tournament since splitting with coach David Witt.
Former No.1 Caroline Wozniacki also returns to action after receiving a main-draw wild card.
Movistar Chile Open (ATP)
26 February – 3 March
The 2024 Chile Open is a men’s tennis tournament to be played on outdoor clay courts. It will be the 26th edition of the Chile Open, and part of the ATP 250 tournaments of the 2024 ATP Tour.
The top four seeds are Nicolas Jarry, Sebastian Baez, Arthur Fils, and Alejandro Tabilo.
ATX Open (WTA)
26 February – 3 March
It will be the second edition of the event, a WTA 250 tournament on the 2024 WTA Tour. The event will take place at The Westwood Country Club in Austin, United States.
Anhelina Kalinina as top seed aiming to emulate Marta Kostyuk who won’t defend her title but is reigning champion.
But it is mostly US based stars that will be involved including Sloane Stephens, Danielle Collins and Peyton Stearns who are among the main seeds in Austin.