Jamie Murray hails ‘pretty amazing person’ Andy’s ‘remarkable’ comeback

Shahida Jacobs
October 31, 2019

Jamie Murray has paid a glowing tribute to his brother Andy, saying his “fortitude to grind it out” is “remarkable”.

After appearing set to retire this year, three-time Grand Slam winner Andy has enjoyed an incredible return to singles tennis during the second half of 2018.

The former world No 1 announced in January that this year’s Wimbledon might well be his last, but he then underwent a career-saving hip resurfacing operation.

And a few months later he is playing competitive tennis again without any pain.

“Where he was in January, in so much pain every day in everyday life to where he is now is remarkable, he is a pretty amazing person,” Jamie told Sportsmail.

“I don’t think many people could have gone through the whole journey to get to this point. A lot of people would have stopped before because all the rehab, nobody likes doing it.

“The extent to which he has had to do it is remarkable, and there are not many athletes from any sport who would have had the fortitude to grind it out like he did.”

Andy made his singles return in August and after a slow start, it all clicked at the European Open in Antwerp in mid-October as he beat Stan Wawrinka in the final to win his first title since March 2017.

Jamie has nothing, but praise for his old sibling.

“I was just very happy for him and knew how much it would mean to him,” he said of Andy’s title win.

“With the surgery you never knew what was going to be possible because you had no-one to gauge it against, and he has obviously been through so much with the procedures.

“So many ups and downs, one day feeling good and the next terrible. Feeling okay and then having a setback. For him to have made his comeback and beaten someone as good as Stan in that final, that’s got to be huge for him.

“For me I feel like he is playing well. It’s not like his ball striking was ever going to go away. He probably has to make a few adjustments in his playing style, like taking the ball on a bit more, playing a bit closer to the baseline, coming forward more.

“Whether that’s because of his hip or just the fact that he is getting older, you can’t be grinding all the time any more. It seems like he is buying into that.

“The stuff I watched he was hitting the ball well and his movement has improved so much in the last few weeks compared to when he first started playing again. I think the future is bright for him if he commits to that game style and has a good focus. I don’t see why he can’t have a strong season next year.

“It doesn’t surprise me in some ways because I know how bloody good he is and how focused and strong his mentality is. I knew that he would do absolutely everything to get the best outcome, the mobility and getting the strength back into his hip.”

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