TENNIS ROUND-UP Murray back, Djoko eyes revival
London, June 17: Andy Murray will make his long awaited return from hip surgery at Queen’s Club next week, while his old rival Novak Djokovic arrives at the Wimbledon warm-up hoping to end his wretched run.
Murray has not played a competitive match since he was knocked out of the Wimbledon quarter-finals last July as a hip injury brought a painful end to his season.
The former world number one underwent surgery in January after pulling out of the 2017 US Open and this year’s Australian Open.
Murray made a tentative commitment to appear in the grass-court tournament in Rosmalen this week, before again pulling out at the last minute to spark fresh fears that he wouldn’t make it back in time for Wimbledon.
Like Murray, Djokovic has endured a frustrating period. Djokovic is a lowly 21st in the rankings after an embarrassing French Open quarter-final defeat.
A 12-time Grand Slam winner, Djokovic traditionally opts against playing a preWimbledon event. But, dogged by rumours that he no longer has the motivation and desire to return to the top, he has decided to start his bid for a fourth Wimbledon crown earlier than usual by accepting a Queen’s wild card. FEDERER WINS 98TH ATP TITLE Roger Federer claimed his 98th ATP title on Sunday and re-established his unrivalled superiority on grass with a 6-4, 7-6 (7/3) victory over Milos Raonic in the Stuttgart Cup final. — AFP