SLAM BLAST

BY NEIL McLEMAN ANDY MURRAY launches his latest comeback today as he tests his hip before a planned Grand Slam return at the US Open.

But the double Olympic champion admits he still has nagging doubts over the quarantine rules in New York and playing at the French Open in September.

The Scot has been out of action since suffering a pelvic injury at the Davis Cup finals in November. And the former world No.1 only played 18 singles matches in 2019 after returning from a second hip operation.

Murray’s first match back will be against Liam Broady in the Schroders Battle of the Brits. And he said: “My hip’s been feeling better, probably the last three or four weeks.

“It feels better than in March. I feel a little bit more confident in it because I’ve had more training under my belt, more practice.

“Playing matches is what is important for me. I want to hold up physically this week and have my hip good at the end of it having competed three, four or five matches. That it’s fine and hasn’t flared up. If it doesn’t, that would be a hugely positive thing. Once I get back playing I’ll be hungry to do well.”

The 2012 champion wants to play the US Open “providing we’re given assurance it will be safe to go”. He said: “What’s the punishment for people not sticking to the rules?”

And with the French Open rescheduled for September 27, he added: “Having not played on clay for I can’t even remember how long, I don’t know if my physios would be comfortable for that.”

Kyle Edmund v James Ward Dan Evans v Jay Clarke Andy Murray v Liam Broady Jack Draper & Kyle Edmund v Jay Clarke & Dom Inglot The tournament is based on the ATP Finals with two round-robin groups. The top two in each group go through to Saturday’s semifinals with final on Sunday. (all matches are live on Amazon Prime)