No concerns over Andy Murray’s latest break from the ATP Tour

Andy Murray is relaxed about his decision to step away from the ATP Tour after his next two events and remains confident of being at his best for January’s Australian Open, Tennis365 understands.
The former world No 1 has confirmed that he taking a step away from the ATP Tour after he plays in the Shenzhen and Beijing tournaments in the next couple of weeks, as he has decided to skip the final two ATP Masters 1000 events at Shanghai and Paris.
Murray’s announcement to take another break from the Tour was viewed by some as evidence that he is struggling to recover from the hip surgery he underwent last January, with the Scot playing just nine matches since making his return at the Queen’s Club event in June.
Yet we understand the plan has always been for Murray to have an extended training block at the end of this year in a bid to prepare himself for a full-time return to the ATP Tour in 2019.
While Murray has shown some signs of a return to form in recent months, he appeared to be troubled by his hip problem once again as he lost in the second round of the US Open to Fernando Verdasco, we understand his medical team are convinced he can return to top form next year with a full ‘pre-season’ training programme behind him.
“I need a long period of training and reconditioning to get myself in the best shape possible for the beginning of the 2019 season and getting myself back competing for the biggest tournaments again,” stated Murray.
“Looking forward to getting some hard training done and making some more improvements. It’s been really positive the last few months. I feel like I made big strides forward in the rehab from the hip surgery. With another strong training period, I’ll make some big improvements. Hopefully, the next couple of weeks go well in China, I’m looking forward to it.”
Murray will rely on wild cards to get into the top events in 2019, but they will be granted to the three-time Grand Slam winner as he looks to climb up from his current ATP ranking of 311.
More from Tennis365:
Latest
-
Australian Open
Boris Becker on what happens next for Alexander Zverev after a turbulent 2020
German legend Boris Becker is backing Alexander Zverev to win his first Grand Slam title in 2021.
-
Australian Open
Dominic Thiem dismisses calls for the Australian Open to be cancelled
US Open champion Dominic Thiem insists next month’s Australian Open should go ahead despite players being in quarantine.
-
Tennis News
Timeline of Andy Murray’s injury nightmare as he pulls out of Australian Open
Andy Murray is out of next month’s Australian Open here we look at the timeline of Murray’s injury troubles since 2017.
-
News
Andy Murray ‘gutted’ as he shelves plans to play at Australian Open
Murray has been unable to solve a quarantine conundrum.
-
Australian Open
‘Really unjustified’ – Boris Becker leaps to Novak Djokovic’s defence over his quarantine pleas
Boris Becker believes world No.1 Novak Djokovic has come in for unfair criticism after writing a letter to Australian Open chiefs.
-
Tennis News
Umpire suffers heart attack as another Australian Open player tests positive for Covid-19
Spanish player Paula Badosa has announced she has tested positive for coronavirus during quarantine in Australia.
-
News
Laura Robson unsure about tennis future after third hip operation
The 27-year-old said her priority now is to live a pain-free life.
-
Australian Open
Andy Murray believes he can still play at the Australian Open as he plots return to action
Former world No.1 Andy Murray is still hopeful of playing in next month’s Australian Open.
-
Australian Open
Players are urged not to feed the mice in their hotel rooms as Heather Watson turns to Tik Tok
Britain’s Heather Watson has turned to Tik…