It’s surely OK for us to start dreaming of more slams...
WHERE Andy Murray is concerned, the wonders truly never cease. If he keeps this up, aspiring tennis players all over the world will be seeking elective hip resurfacing surgery; there’s clearly something in it.
For Murray merely to be back playing tennis at any level is remarkable, given the wreck he found himself in not so very long ago.
This is a guy who couldn’t bend over to put on his socks without being wracked by pain.
The thought of playing even recreational sport again, never mind competing against the very best in the world, was faintly ludicrous. Cruel even to kid himself on, wasn’t it?
He only underwent his surgery in January. And, remember, there were no guarantees that it would give him the mobility and flexibility that he needed.
True to form, Murray was willing to take a chance. Married with 2.4 children — more like 2.9 now, with Kim’s due date for their third not far away — and with plenty of interests beyond tennis, he didn’t even consider taking a backwards step.
In Antwerp this week, he was playing in just his seventh tournament since going under the knife.
His play had been increasingly solid in the previous six events. Encouraging. Heartening. Yeah, sure. All of that.
In beating Stan Wawrinka to win his first ATP Tour title in over two years yesterday, though, the Scot took a giant leap forward.
Through the inevitable and understandable tears that flowed once his victory had been secured, he also sent a message to the watching world.
He’s back. Ready to fight as hard as ever. Willing to snap and snarl over every point. Still roaring mad, in a good way. And suddenly looking very capable again.
Wawrinka spoke for millions when he said of his conqueror: ‘To see you back at this level, it’s amazing.’
What we need next, of course, is for three-time Grand Slam winner Murray (right) to get greedy. To look at something like Tiger Woods winning the Masters again back in April, and the scenes of joy that prompted — and fancy a bit of that for himself. Andy for the Australian Open? Too soon. But Roland Garros, Wimbledon, the US Open… it’s surely OK for us to dream again. In Murray’s world, impossible is seen as a challenge. The improbable merely a matter of hard work and application. Already the greatest British sports person of all-time, the 32-year-old double Olympic champion has nothing left to prove. Having put himself through all of this, though, you’d better believe he’s going to give his all in pursuit of every prize out there. The only people working harder will be tennis fans realising that they do need that very particular summer fortnight off, after all. The scramble for the office holiday planner could be epic.