Andy Murray must keep improving next season if he wants to stay at No. 1, according to Britains Davis Cup captain Leon Smith.Murray ended Novak Djokovics 122-week reign at the top of the rankings earlier this month, and fended off the Serb from the year-end No. 1 spot by beating him in the World Tour final in London.You can imagine what his pre-season will be like, Smith told The Herald of his fellow Scot. He will absolutely work his socks off and try to get better again.Now he is No.1 he has got to work out how to stay there and improve again. It never ends, never stops.Murray will get his 2017 season underway 630 points ahead of Djokovic at the Qatar Open on Jan. 2, and could be set for a lengthy stay at No. 1.In the first six months of the year, Djokovic must defend titles from Doha, the Australian Open, Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid and Roland Garros after a dominant start to 2016 -- indeed, he held a lead of more than 8,000 points over Murray after beating him in the French Open final on June 5.However, it was just five months later to the day that Murray -- who first reached the No. 2 ranking in August 2009 -- ensured he would overtake the Serb by making the Paris Masters semifinals, in the midst of a career-best 24-match win streak that took in five consecutive titles.That run capped off a remarkable season that also saw the Scot win a third major at Wimbledon, retain his Olympic gold in Rio and claim nine titles overall. His older brother Jamie Murray also had the best season of his career, winning two Grand Slams and finishing as the year-end doubles No. 1 with Brazilian partner Bruno Soares.What I find amazing is how much you have to put in to move from No. 2 to No. 1, added Smith. You can go on an unbelievable run and go from No. 100 or whatever but to go from two to one, it was 21 matches in a row at that level of the sport, just to move one place.The bit that takes you from two to one is being prepared to ask, What do I need to do to make sure I get better? I am hugely impressed about how he [Murray] keeps developing his game and Jamie is the same when you watch him operate on court and off the court. He has really committed to everything he has to do to make himself the best. Kenny Stabler Womens Jersey . The Dane followed up his first European Tour title last weekend with eight birdies and just a single dropped shot on Thursday for a one-stroke advantage over South Africas Allan Versfeld and Portugals Ricardo Santos. Art Shell Jersey . Just as Montreal was settling into the first full working week of a new year, the Impact announced the appointment of their new head coach. http://www.shoptheraidersonline.com/Elite-Jim-Otto-Raiders-Jersey/ . Numbers Game looks into the Canadiens securing the services of Thomas Vanek in a trade with the New York Islanders. The Canadiens Get: LW Thomas Vanek and a conditional fifth-round pick. Howie Long Jersey . - Connor McDavid scored 53 seconds into overtime as the Erie Otters came from behind to defeat the visiting Guelph Storm 4-3 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action. Foster Moreau Raiders Jersey .Y. -- Bills receiver Stevie Johnson has a bone to pick with the NFL schedule maker.TORONTO -- Toronto FC has parted ways with captain Darren ODea in another move to clear space under Major League Soccers salary cap. The club was without ODea for Saturdays 3-0 loss to Sporting Kansas City as the team finalized the defenders transfer to a team in Ukraine. After the game, manager Ryan Nelsen explained that shedding ODeas hefty contract -- in the $450,000 range -- would free up TFCs options. "Darren has moved on. He got a contract from Ukraine that he couldnt turn down," Nelsen said in a interview on the teams website. "Darrens the most expensive player in the whole of the league, in terms of salary cap. It frees up some space for us. He wanted to go, it was a good opportunity for him. "Unfortunately for Darren its not his fault. His contract was pretty ridiculous, in terms of MLS contracts." The 26-year-old Ireland international had a lucrative offer from Ukraine prior to joining Toronto last season.dddddddddddd The move comes days after Toronto traded midfielder Luis Silva to D.C. United for allocation money that can go toward cap relief. On Friday, defender Danny Califf announced his retirement. The transfer also opens up an international spot, which is the second one acquired this month following a trade with Chivas USA. ODea has one goal and one assist through 17 games with TFC this season. He last played for Toronto on July 3, a 3-3 draw with the Montreal Impact at BMO Field, where he scored his only goal of 2013. ODea began his career with Celtic in the Scottish Premier League in 2006 and has represented Ireland at the under-21 and senior level. Fellow defender Steven Caldwell wore the captains armband for TFC in Saturdays loss in Kansas City. ' ' '