Tearful Murray: I don’t know how long I can go on
ANDY MURRAY has admitted he isn’t sure how long his hip will allow him to keep playing tennis after an emotional return to the court yesterday.
Following a 6-3, 6-4 first-round win in the Brisbane Open against James Duckworth, the former world No 1 was close to tears when asked to discuss the strugThe gle he has had getting back from a hip injury that sidelined him for much of last year.
He said: ‘It’s not easy to sum up in one sentence or one answer. It’s been really hard. Eighteen months, a lot of ups and downs, it’s been tricky to just get back on the court competing again. So, I’m happy I’m back out here again. I want to try to enjoy it as much as I can and just try to enjoy playing tennis as long as I can.
‘I don’t know how much longer it’s going to last but we’ll see.’
31-year-old Scot moved well overall against the Australian wildcard, although he looked a little uncomfortable when running out wide to the forehand side.
He did, however, pull off a very early contender for the best shot of 2019 with a one-handed backhand pass on the run, a flick of the wrist sending the ball flying past Duckworth.
Murray, who faces fourth seed and world No 16 Daniil Medvedev in the second round this morning, said: ‘I think for a first match of the new year after quite a long break it was all right.’
Murray has admitted he is still in pain and the surgeon who performed the operation predicted this week that the Scot will never be free of problems in his hip.
And, having dropped to No240 in the world, Murray faces a stiff task on the comeback trail. However, he made clear he has ambitions to climb the rankings and compete against Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer once again.
Asked about the dominance of the big three during his lay-off, Murray said: ‘It kills me that I have not been able to be there competing... but it’s amazing what the three of those guys are still doing.’