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 World number one Djokovic holds three of the four grand slam crowns
after a dominant 2015 and started the new season with a bang last
week, thrashing Rafa Nadal in straight sets to win the Qatar Open.
An awed Nadal described Djokovic's performance in the Qatar final as
"perfection" and the highlights reel has been sober viewing for the
Serb's top rivals warming up in Australia.
Having lost to Djokovic in last year's final at Melbourne Park and
in the 2011 and 2013 title-deciders, world number two Murray was
under few illusions as to the scale of the task.
"My number one goal is to try and win here," Murray, who also lost a
fourth Melbourne Park final to Roger Federer in 2010, told reporters
in Melbourne on Monday.
"It'd mean a lot because of how may times I've been close.
"You just have to keep trying to learn, watch his matches, try and
see if there's any weaknesses there that you can capitalize on.
"Maybe he has a drop-off, it's very difficult to maintain that level
for such a long period.
"That's all you can do."
World number three Federer, who lost to Djokovic in last year's
Wimbledon and U.S. Open finals, was also impressed by Djokovic's
obliteration of 14-times grand slam champion Nadal in Doha.
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"To some extent it's surprising for sure," the 34-year-old told
reporters after losing the Brisbane International final to Milos
Raonic on Sunday.
"Maybe not so much because he's been on a roll for a while now.
"Of course, he is the favorite for the Australian Open. Plus he's
played well there historically."
The Australian Open starts Jan. 18.
(Reporting by Ian Ransom; Editing by Amlan chakraborty)
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