ATP World Tour Finals: Andy Murray handed tough task for defending his No.1 spot

Murray's group features Wawrinka, Nishikori and Cilic

Murray won the Paris Masters last week (Getty)

Andy Murray has been drawn in a group with Stan Wawrinka, Kei Nishikori and Marin Cilic at the ATP World Tour Finals.

Murray has never won the prestigious competition and will be looking to retain his new world number one crown in London, which he took from Novak Djokovic on Monday.

This year, Murray lost to Nishikori in the US Open quarter-finals and Cilic in the final at Cincinnati. The Scot beat Wawrinka in the French Open semi-finals in June.

The ATP World Tour Finals starts on Sunday and features the top eight players in the world, with the other group including Djokovic, Milos Raonic, Gael Monfils and Dominic Thiem.

Djokovic has won the season-ending tournament for the last four years running and could claim back top spot in the rankings if he defends his title at the O2 Arena.

Murray, however, will remain at the summit if he can match or better Djokovic's run and he will be confident of doing so after securing his fourth consecutive title at the Paris Masters on Sunday.

"It's obviously nice for that to happen and to get to play in London being ranked one," Murray told ATP TV after the draw.

"Once you get out on the court though you're not thinking about your ranking, you're playing against the best players in the world.

Murray has never reached the final in London (Getty)

"Every match is extremely tough and I'll look forward to getting out there. It's always an amazing atmosphere at the O2, we get great crowds there so it'll be good fun."

Murray's success has put him 405 points ahead of Djokovic in the rankings but has also meant an exhausting few weeks for the British number one.

"I'm trying to take a few days rest now," Murray said.

"Obviously I finished on Sunday in Paris. I'll start hitting again on Thursday. I need a few days break now and will start practising again nearer the weekend.

"It's one big final push for all the guys in the event. It's been a lot of tennis for everyone this year so hopefully everyone plays well."

John McEnroe Group

Andy Murray (Britain) (1)

Stan Wawrinka (Switzerland) (3)

Kei Nishikori (Japan) (5)

Marin Cilic (Croatia) (7)

Ivan Lendl Group

Novak Djokovic (Serbia) (2)

Milos Raonic (Canada) (4)

Gael Monfils (France) (6)

Dominic Thiem (Austria) (9)

*Top two players from each round-robin group contest semi-finals