Andy Murray admits latest fitness battle ‘has been harder’

ATP Tour

The last few months have been tough for Andy Murray, but he believes it will make him stronger and help him to “enjoy” his return to action.

The three-time Grand Slam winner hasn’t played any competitive tennis since Wimbledon last year and he underwent hip surgery in January after being forced to pull out of the Australian Open.

However, he has returned to training and he has pencilled in the Libema Open in the Netherlands in June as his comeback event, but there has been talk that he could also sign up for the Challenger Tour event in Glasgow starting on April 30.

Murray, though, admits it’s been a long and difficult journey.

“This time has been harder. There’s been a lot more ups and downs this time. It’s been longer and a lot more complex than the back issue,” he told the Washington Post.

“Having been through a back injury and a difficult surgery before helps, but the back injury was easier because I was back on the court competing quite soon afterwards.

“I will enjoy it more (returning to action). I think when you go through an injury like this you realise how much you miss playing, how important it is to you.

“I like pressure, I miss that, something that you don’t get in day-to-day life, something that I’ve had as part of my life for 13, 14 years since I became a pro. I miss that, I miss the competition.

“You never quite know what’s around the corner. I certainly never anticipated something like this, so I certainly won’t take anything for granted when I come back.”

The Scot has also confirmed he will play in the Citi Open in Washington as part of his US Open build-up. It will be the third time that he will compete at the Rock Creek Park Tennis Center.

“I enjoyed it both the two times that I played,” he said. “It’s a nice tournament, good conditions, nice and warm, and the players get looked after very, very well there. I like it, even though it didn’t go well the last time I was there. Me and my team had a good time there and wanted to come back.”

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