MURRAY NOT IN A HURRY
Gilbert: Andy needs a year of health
ANDY MURRAY needs a year to discover whether he can challenge for major titles again, according to his former coach Brad Gilbert.
Murray will play Australia’s James Duckworth in the US Open first round, his first Grand Slam tournament since limping away from Wimbledon last year.
He withdrew on the eve of his first match at last year’s US Open and eventually underwent hip surgery after a late withdrawal from the Australian Open.
The former world No.1, now ranked 378, could play third seed Juan Martin Del Potro in the third round.
Gilbert, who coached Murray for 16 months, said: “He needs a full year of being healthy to play a lot, to see what he can do.
“Maybe if he has a decent draw and can get through the first week, he can go from there.
“I saw Stan Wawrinka (below) a couple of months ago, and he didn’t look very good when he played Murray before Wimbledon.
“Then all of a sudden I see him in Cincinnati, and he’s a completely different player.
“So I do think that with Andy’s ability, once he’s healthy and can play week in and week out, the results will come. If in 12 months, if Andy is totally healthy, no more injuries, and you told me he was back in the top five, I wouldn’t be surprised. But he’s just going to need time.”
British No.1 Kyle Edmund faces Italy’s Paolo Lorenzi, while Cameron Norrie plays another Australian, Jordan Thompson. He could play defending champion Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals if he gets that far.
Johanna Konta has a tough match against French sixth seed Caroline Garcia. The 27-year-old British No.1 is now 46 in the world after struggling to find consistency this year.
Heather Watson and Katie Swan are still trying to come through qualifying, as is Liam Broady in the men’s draw.