Andy Murray looking to turn the tide against Novak Djokovic

Andy Murray admits he has been plotting ways to bring down Novak Djokovic ahead of the start of the Australian Open.

Murray has lost four finals already in Melbourne and three of those came at the hands of the Serb, who is now gunning for his sixth success at the tournament.

Djokovic has dominated his recent rivalry with Murray, winning 10 of their last 11 matches and beating the Scot at both the Australian and French Opens last year.

Murray is not alone. Rafael Nadal managed just three games against the world number one in Doha last week, while Roger Federer has lost all of their last three match-ups in grand slams.

It means Djokovic begins 2016 as the man to beat and Murray admits much of his off-season was spent thinking up ways to overcome his toughest foe.

“I think that’s always really the case in the off-season,” Murray said.

“This off-season, yeah, maybe a little bit more.

“But it’s not just him you have to win against. Roger last year, I didn’t have a good record against him either.

“Yes, in practices there’s things you’d look to do for matches against them, but also it’s about looking at matches that you’ve played against them and understanding tactics and things that are happening in the match that you can maybe change as well.

“In practice, you’re always trying to improve your overall game. It’s about maybe looking at the videos of the matches and going, ’Oh, I could improve my serve here or improve my return’.

“It’s not just for against them, it’s against all the other players, as well.”

Murray plans to take February off for the birth of his first child and therefore while other players were recuperating at the end of last year, he spent a fortnight training in Dubai.

The world number two should be finely-tuned for his opening round on Tuesday, when he takes on Alexander Zverev, the talented 18-year-old from Germany.

“It has been different, that’s for sure. I’ve never finished the season this late,” Murray said.

“I feel prepared but it’s just been different preparation than what I’m used to.”