Murray gives updates about his hip injury ahead of his Zhuhai campaign

Andy Murray is back to playing competitive tennis after having hip surgery earlier this year. The 32-year-old had struggled with the hip throughout his career. At the Australian Open this year, Murray announced that he was contemplating retirement due to the injury. However, he opted to have a hip resurfacing surgery in London. The three-time Grand Slam champion is back on tour after undergoing the procedure and is expected to play at the Zhuhai Open in China.

The hip is pain-free

The British player has stated that he will use his performance at the tournament to gauge how far he has progressed since the surgery. Murray revealed that his hip is now pain-free and he is ready to play competitive tennis. Murray is currently ranked no. 413 at the ATP rankings. He admits that he has a long way to go before he can regain the form that saw him ranked as the best player in the world. The tournament in China will serve as a measuring stick to see if he still has the required match fitness to play with the best players in the game. Murray will face American Tennys Sandgren in the first round at Zhuhai. Ranked 69^th, Sandgren defeated the 32-year-old in straight sets at the Winston Salem Open in August.

Managing expectations

While he has worked hard on his recovery, Murray is trying to manage his expectations. The former world number one has acknowledged that he still has a lot to do before returning to his best.

He said, “I don’t know how far I’m going to be able to get now on my comeback. I don’t know how much improving I still have to do or if I’m going to be able to.” Playing in the tours will help the British player compare his fitness and performance levels with other players. “When I’m at the events I get good practice with top players, so my body is getting used to playing at this pace again and this level again.”

Since his comeback in June, Murray has been playing in selected events. He played doubles at the Queen’s Club Championships and won the title together with Feliciano Lopez. The 32-year-old will have a busy schedule in the next few weeks. After Zhuhai, he is expected to play in the China Open in Beijing and then at the Shanghai Masters.

Andy Murray’s ranking and performance in 2019

Ranked no.413, the Brit played his last match on the 29^th of August when he lost to Matteo Viola 3-6 6-4 7-6³ in the 3^rd round in Mallorca Challenger.