QUEEN’S: To say that Andy Murray has had a turbulent past six months is an understatement.
Heading into the Australian Open, he didn’t know how or if he could continue his career. Telling reporters during a highly emotional press conference in Melbourne that he may have to walk away from the sport due to injury. Then after his first-round loss to Roberto Bautista Agut, a video was played of players paying tribute to him. A common occurrence that is used to mark somebody entering into retirement. However, Murray was determined to give it one last go.
Hip resurfacing surgery helped transform the three-time grand slam champion from the brink of despair to training once again on the courts. The journey has been testing both mentally and physically, but it was certainly worth it.
Teaming up with Feliciano Lopez at The Fever-Tree Championships, a packed crowd of more than 9000 spectators welcomed him back to the ATP Tour on Thursday. The cheers were back and so was Murray’s passion. Taking on top seeds Juan Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah, Murray and Lopez prevailed 7-6(5), 6-3. An impressive performance against the Colombian doubles specialists, who were runners-up at this year’s Australian Open.
“I expected to enjoy the match because I told myself I was going to regardless of what happened.” A chuffed looking Murray said during his press conference.
“I spoke a bit about that with my coach and my team, regardless of the result, you need to make sure you enjoy this because a few months ago I had no clue whether I’d be back playing on a court.”
It wasn’t the first time Queen’s has served as the venue of Murray’s comeback. A year ago he played his first tournament of 2018 after being sidelined due to his hip. On that occasion, he fell to Nick Kyrgios in three sets. However, this time around, it is a different feeling for various reasons.
“This felt different to last year, because last year when I came in and played my hip felt very average. I was still pretty uncomfortable and I had done a lot of training. Things weren’t really getting better.” He explained.
“Whereas now I feel like although I’m not, you know, at my best kind of physically, I feel like I’m always making improvements and I have no pain.”
A cautious step forward
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Brazzingly admitting that he expected to be ‘the worst player on the court,’ it is clear that Murray’s return is gaining momentum. On the court, he chased after the ball and wasn’t afraid to throw himself around in order to win the point. Something that would have been unimaginable a couple of months ago.
In the foreseeable future, it looks like it will be a case of trial and error for Murray concerning his limitations. No date has been provided yet about when he will return to singles competition. Allowing him to focus solely on the doubles.
“I have zero discomfort in my hip after the match, nothing.” Murray states. “If I had done this last year, I’d be here aching, throbbing, and feel bad the next day.’
“So I’ll just keep pushing and see how it goes. But I feel optimistic about the future. I don’t know how long it will take to get to that level, but, you know, hopefully not too long.”
It was after his match with Lopez that Murray confirmed who would be teaming up with him at Wimbledon. Putting an end to the numerous speculation that has arisen in recent days. His partner will be France’s Pierre-Hugues Herbert. Who won the 2016 Wimbledon title with Nicolas Mahut. Herbert had initially declined to play in the doubles at the upcoming grand slam before having a change of heart.
At The All England Club, the Brit has also indicated that he would be up for playing in the mixed doubles as well. Depending on how his fitness progresses. However, finding a partner isn’t as simple as he would like.
“I’ve asked singles players who had already committed to playing doubles, and they didn’t want to commit to playing in three events, which I completely understand because it’s a lot. If you have ambitions to go far in the singles, you maybe don’t want to commit to playing all three.” He said.
Murray will return to the grass court at Queens on Friday. In the time being, he can bask in his triumphant return to professional tennis.
