Open for business: Andy Murray says Grand Slams are his priority as he gives US Open the thumbs up

Andy Murray says he is prioritising the Grand Slams as he prepares to play his first match in seven months at the Battle of the Brits on Tuesday.
The three-time Grand Slam champion has been out of action since November with a bruised bone which hampered him during Great Britain’s Davis Cup campaign, but makes his comeback against Liam Broady in the all-British tournament at the National Tennis Centre.
With tennis now able to resume, brother Jamie is hosting an exhibition round-robin tournament in Roehampton that sees the former world No 1 joined by Dan Evans, Broady, Kyle Edmund, James Ward, Jay Clarke, Cameron Norrie and Jack Draper in the singles competition.
Battle of the Brits: When is it, who will take part, schedule, TV and video on demand channels
It gives Murray the chance to get some competitive action under his belt ahead of the planned August resumption of the main tour which will see two grand slams come in quick succession, the US Open and the French Open.
There are several other rearranged Masters 1000 events, but Murray says his priority are the two grand slams.
“My hip’s been feeling better, probably the last three or four weeks. It feels better than in March,” said Murray.
“I think the schedule is tricky. I understand the reasons why it’s like that, but I don’t understand exactly which tournaments I will or won’t play.
“The Grand Slams will be my priority, to play in those ones. But, in terms of what I would do in the lead-up to them, I’m not sure.”
Murray would likely be one of the higher profile names to play at the US Open, with Roger Federer out injured and Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic dubious about travelling.
One of Djokovic’s problems were the safety protocols, which he described as “extreme” and restrict the number of people players can have on site to one.
That would not deter Murray from going to New York.
“I don’t mind what the situation is, providing it’s safe. If I was told I could take one person with me, for example, you can make that work,” he said.
“I would probably go with a physio in that situation, with some coaching done remotely. That’s not a perfect situation, obviously.
“To prepare for a Grand Slam, you’d probably be over there for three to four weeks beforehand, with no coaching input in your practices or anything.
“So, from a performance perspective, that’s tricky.
“But I also appreciate that these are unprecedented times, so you have to make do with what’s possible. That sort of thing wouldn’t bother me much. For me it’s more about the safety.”
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official.
Latest
-
News
Positive Covid cases on flights to Australia put 47 players in 14-day quarantine
Three people across two chartered flights carrying the Open hopefuls tested positive for coronavirus upon their arrival in Melbourne.
-
Tennis News
Bernard Tomic still has drive to compete, saying ‘I don’t need to play tennis again, I’ve got enough money’
“I’m risking my life, and I’m playing and competing.”
-
Tennis News
Dominic Thiem: ‘My wish for 2021 is to win a second Grand Slam title’
Dominic Thiem eyes a second Grand Slam trophy.
-
Australian Open
VIDEO and PICS: Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams among tennis stars to arrive in Australia
This way for a video and pics of arrivals in Australia.
-
Australian Open
Official insists no special Australian Open treatment for Andy Murray after positive COVID-19 result
Andy Murray warned he won’t get preferential treatment.
-
Australian Open
Madison Keys latest player to miss Australian Open charter flight after testing positive for coronavirus
Madison Keys unlikely to play at Australian Open.
-
Australian Open
Andy Murray in race against time to play at Australian Open after testing positive for COVID-19
Andy Murray tests positive for coronavirus – report.
-
News
Andy Murray Australian Open appearance in doubt after positive test for Covid
Murray is hoping to be able to arrive in Australia at a later date.
-
Australian Open
Dominic Thiem’s coach tests positive for COVID-19, but hopes to link up with Austrian ‘soon’
Nicolas Massu hopes to fly Down Under in a few weeks.
-
ATP Tour
‘It feels great,’ says Hubert Hurkacz after starting 2021 with Delray Beach Open trophy
Hubert Hurkacz captures second ATP Tour title.