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Prominent members of the tennis community have been quick to show their support for Brad Drewett, who will resign from his position as ATP Executive Chairman and President following his diagnosis with motor neurone disease.

“It has been a privilege to serve as Executive Chairman and President of the ATP, an organisation that I’ve been a part of for more than 35 years since I became a professional tennis player,” said Drewett, who will continue in his current role on an interim basis as the search for his successor begins. “I hold the ATP very close to my heart, and it’s with sadness that I make the decision to enter this transition period due to my ill-health.”

The 54-year-old Drewitt was appointed to the ATP’s top role little more than a year ago and was an influential figure in recent player prize money discussions. Roger Federer, President of the ATP Player Council, was among those to voice his thoughts. “Brad has become a good friend of mine over the years and this is very sad news for all of us at the ATP and the entire tennis community,” Federer said in a statement.

“He is well liked and respected by everyone and has done a tremendous job in leading the ATP over the past 12 months, overseeing some major initiatives and a record-breaking year in 2012. “

A top-40 singles and top 20 doubles player in the 1980s, Drewett has been part of the ATP for more than 35 years, encompassing roles as a player, ATP Player Council member, ATP Player Board member, as CEO of the International Region and Tournament Director of the ATP’s season-ending event from 2001 to 2011. 

The highly-respected Australian is also the mastermind of several important commercial deals on the ATP Tour, including one with the Shanghai Municipal Government to stage the Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai from 2003 until 2005.

Tennis Australia leaders expressed sadness about Drewett’s ill health. “Brad's incredible contribution to the game in Australia and worldwide is obvious to all,” said Tennis Australia President Steve Healy and CEO Steve Wood in a joint statement.

“For more than three decades he has been a much loved member of the Australian tennis family. All of our thoughts are very much with Brad and his family at this time.”

Stacey Allaster, Drewett’s counterpart on the WTA Tour, was similarly supportive. "The thoughts and prayers of the WTA family are with Brad, his family and the entire ATP community at this very difficult time," she said. "We know he will fight this terrible disease every step of the way, and have our full support for whatever he needs."

Rarely has a loss in a big match ever been so good for a players career.

Normally, such defeats are associated with disappointment. Missed opportunities and wretched luck; perhaps a sign that a player does not have the mental or physical strength to contend. Sometimes even a pre-cursor to a nosedive in confidence.

Murray’s loss in the Australian Open 2012 semifinals had the potential to be even more shattering. After two damaging finals losses in 2010 and 2011, he was pipped 7-5 in the fifth set of his semifinal against Novak Djokovic. Were the majors becoming his bogey events?

Apparently not. The then world No.4 was galvanised by that defeat, lauded by tennis pundits and fans alike for his newfound commitment to aggressive tennis. It set him on track for what he described as “by far my best year on the court”, which culminated in his first career Grand Slam triumph at the US Open. His opponent in the final? No less than Djokovic, whom the Scot defeated in five similarly-gruelling sets to their battle royale in Melbourne.

Murray had come full circle.

“I learnt a lot from last year’s semifinal. It was a very important match for me in the context of my year,” he said at Melbourne Park on Saturday.

“I felt like I played well. There was something I could really take away from it. That's why I was disappointed obviously, but it wasn't frustration.

“The way I went about the whole match was the right way. Even though I lost it, also the same thing happened at Wimbledon (in the final). I went about the match the right way … I was taking my chances. I wasn't waiting for the guys to miss.”

Murray’s win in New York ended a much-publicised 76-year drought of British male Grand Slam champions. And as a result, he said he was feeling “more relaxed” than usual the week before a major tournament.

There might, understandably, be the temptation for Murray to take the metaphorical foot off the pedal. After all, he’d already been a four-time major finalist prior to his win at Flushing Meadows, one which proved beyond doubt he had the mettle to succeed at the highest level, thriving despite an unfathomable amount of pressure on his shoulders from fans and media in his homeland.

He cracked the top 10 in 2007, has been a fixture in the top four since 2008, and has won countless Masters titles in addition to his US Open trophy. Having now traversed the tour for more than seven years, he could be forgiven for feeling content with all he has achieved.

Yet he insisted he remains as hungry for success as ever.

“I didn't work hard in Miami in the off-season to come in and just not be focused or too relaxed or anything like that,” he said.

“I didn't train over there for four weeks to come here and put in a really bad performance. So I plan on playing well here.”

He has every reason to feel good ahead of his Australian Open campaign. Fresh off winning the Brisbane International, he starts off in Melbourne against Dutchman Robin Haase, ranked 54th. With nemesis Rafael Nadal remaining absent from the tour, Murray – should he get that far – will be spared a showdown with another member of the Big Four until at least the semifinals.

Roger Federer awaits in that projected last four battle, with a re-match against Djokovic slated for the final.

Murray said he would relish the chance to face off against the Serb, a player who is both a contemporary, friend and rival.

“I think our respect for one another has probably grown over the last 18 months or so,” he revealed.

“When I do play against him, it's a match I enjoy. They're incredibly tough, physical matches. We played quite a few good ones last year in some of the biggest events.

“If I get to play Novak here, that would mean it would be in the final. So obviously that's what I would like to do.”