Melbourne, Jan. 22 : Defending Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic has spoken out against the bookies' decision to rate Andy Murray, the world's fourth-ranked player, as equal favourite for the tournament alongside Roger Federer.

Djokovic, who eased through his second-round match against Jeremy Chardy in straight sets, believes that the three leading contenders for the title are the same players who won grand slam events last year: himself, Federer, and Rafael Nadal.

Asked whether he felt that Murray had overtaken him in the public imagination, Djokovic replied indignantly "What is his ranking against my ranking?"

"I have all respect for Murray. I like him as a person and as a player, but you cannot put him as one of the favourites next to Roger and Rafa and myself here at the Australian Open," he added.

According to Fox Sports, Djokovic remains a long way ahead of Murray on rankings points, with 10,650 to Murray's 7190. But he will lose a significant number of those if he does not repeat his 2008 feat of winning this tournament. (ANI)