TENNIS NEEDS ANDY... GAME ISN’T SAME WITHOUT HIM

Becker desperate to see Scot Murray back in thick of it

BORIS BECKER has insisted tennis “needs” the might of Andy Murray.

The legendary German believes both the Scot and Novak Djokovic will be motivated by Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal’s own comebacks.

Three-time Grand Slam champion Murray will be back on court this month after undergoing knee surgery in January.

In the absence of Murray and Djokovic 36-year-old Federer and 31-year-old Nadal have risen back to the top of the ATP rankings.

But Becker reckons the sport would benefit from Murray’s return.

He said: “Tennis needs him – tennis is not the same without Andy Murray.

“He got this problem and he stopped when he was the No.1 player in the world. It’s the last thing you want to happen.

“It’s a serious injury – I’m not his doctor, I can’t give you details of what the surgery was or how many surgeries he had – but what I hear is he is contemplating coming back on the grass because it’s a little easier for the hip.

“You wouldn’t come back if you wouldn’t have the chance to come back fully fit.

“Once he’s fully fit he’s one of the best players in the world. Then it’s a question of time. How much time are you going to give yourself to come back to this level you had before? I hope he does.”

Murray turns 31 this year, exactly the age Becker was when the triple Wimbledon champion called time on his career. The 50-year-old said of his retirement: “It’s the most difficult decision for an athlete.

“We all come to that moment of having to face the man in the mirror and saying, ‘We’re too old’. It’s not because 31 is old but it’s because of the wear and tear and the physical demands that you’ve asked from your body. It’s not a number.

“Bjorn Borg thought he was too old at 26! It’s the most difficult decision you have to ask yourself because it’s not normal to be called old at 31, 32. You’re still starting your life as a man.

“But as an athlete you are not a spring chicken any more. It’s difficult.”

Yet Becker also acknowledged the way Federer and Nadal have returned from their injury issues will serve as motivation for Murray and Djokovic who is recovering from an elbow problem himself.

Federer, at 36, has won three of the last five Slams, with Nadal, 31, claiming the other two.

Becker said of Federer: “It’s tempting, you say, ‘Why is he coming back and being No.1’, like Rafa was too.

“And the same goes for Novak, you’re tempted with these other guys coming back and playing better than before. That’s the double-edged sword.”