Former Wimbledon semifinalist Tim Henman has warned his compatriot and former World No. 1 Andy Murray not to rush his comeback from injury if he isn’t ready and 100 percent fit.
Murray, who hasn’t played an official ATP match since losing to Sam Querrey in the Wimbledon quarterfinals, is still recovering from a hip injury that has troubled him for many years now. However, the three-time Grand Slam champion did play in an exhibition against World No. 2 Roger Federer in November and seemed to have made considerable progress in his efforts to get fully fit.
Recent reports, though suggest Murray is doubtful for his return in Australia and Henman, a close friend of Murray, believes the 30-year-old would be making a huge mistake if he plays in the southern hemisphere without being fully fit.
When questioned if the two-time Wimbledon winner should miss the Australian Open in order to be completely fit, Henman told Express Sport: “Absolutely. He’s the only one that will know that. The game is tough enough as it is when you’re 100 per cent healthy.
“So if he is 90 per cent healthy, he could win a couple of rounds in Melbourne then his body is going to give up, what’s the point?
“His career is about winning the major so he should be patient and make sure he’s 100 per cent healthy. Same for Djokovic, I don’t know what he’s been up to.
“But I’m sure he’ll be very keen to be 100 per cent healthy as well.”
Henman added that Murray should be patient with regard to his return to the men’s circuit as a fully fit Murray can still win Majors.
He said: “I think with the US Open, it was a question of so many people pulling out that he wanted to see what his options were.
“He tried but he didn’t actually go on the court so I think he is very much aware of making sure he is 100 per cent healthy.”
