WIMBLEDON: After almost two years since he last played a competitive match at Wimbledon, Andy Murray returned back to winning ways at the grand slam with the help of Pierre-Hughes Herbert.
Playing in only his third tournament since undergoing hip resurfacing surgery, the three-time grand slam champion won his opening match in the men’s doubles. Alongside Herbert for the very first time, the duo defeated Marius Copil and Ugo Humbert 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-0. Making it the first grand slam men’s doubles match Murray has won since the 2008 US Open.
“I think like that match does a lot of good. We spent kind of two and a half hours on court with each other. We got better as the match went on.” Said Murray.
“I think that’s the one thing that’s nice about the five-set doubles format, is you have time to work things out.”
Still in the early stages of his recovery, few are expecting the 32-year-old to add to his grand slam tally in the coming days. Although the Brit triumphed in his comeback by winning the Fever-Tree Championships with Spain’s Feliciano Lopez. Murray is currently focusing on the doubles in the hope that his body will be ready for singles competition later in the year.
“I’m still very competitive. When I go on the match court to compete, I want to win. I prepare properly. I try and do my best.” He explained.
“Winning is nice, but it’s not the most important thing, which maybe it used to be. Now it’s not, which so far feels nice and just a little bit different, a little bit more relaxing, a little bit more sort of stress-free.”
It was clear how much Murray has been missed by fans. A full crowd inside Court one cheered him on. Meanwhile, Henman Hill was also packed with those watching him play.
As for his body, the former world No.1 is confident that he is holding up well. Saying that the only issue lies with stiffness in his back. Something that is unsurprising given his lack of match play. Prior to his second hip operation, Murray’s last competitive singles match was in the first round of the Australian Open.
“My back gets a bit stiff playing doubles. It’s just quite different movements on the grass.” Murray said.
“You’re kind of in a crouched-over position a lot when you’re up at the net, which is kind of different to what I’ve always trained and been used to playing singles.”
The Brit will return to action on Friday to kick-off his mixed doubles campaign alongside Serena Williams.
