Rusedski: 'Murray can end 2017 as World No. 1'

Andy Murray can retain his place at the top of the world rankings until the end of 2017, according to former tennis player Greg Rusedski.

Andy Murray can retain his place at the top of the world rankings until the end of 2017, according to former tennis player Greg Rusedski.

After reuniting with coach Ivan Lendl, Murray won his third Grand Slam at Wimbledon and went on to add Olympic gold before a quarterfinal exit to Kei Nishikori in the U.S. Open.

The Brit then won four straight titles to displace Novak Djokovic as World No. 1, holding on to the position by beating the Serbian to the ATP World Tour Finals title in London last month. Rusedski believes Murray can maintain that momentum and lead throughout next year.

"He hasn't won the Australian or the French Open, those are the two titles he'll be desperate to win, he wasn't won two majors in a year, and he'll probably want to end the year as World No. 1," he told Omnisport ahead of the ATP Champions Tennis event.

"Now that he's reached No. 1, it's now about maintaining that position, and that's where Ivan Lendl comes in. He's been there and done it, and knows how to manage it. It's always harder being No. 1 and staying there than it is to get there, but I think Murray is equipped to keep it."