Murray to make major return in Oz
MELBOURNE: Andy Murray will make his Grand Slam return at the Australian Open in January, a year after career-saving hip surgery, tournament organisers announced yesterday.
The British three-time major winner has been slowly working his way back to fitness and is now ranked 289th, up from 503rd just a week ago.
Murray, 32, won his opening match at the Shanghai Masters on Monday, beating Argentine qualifier Juan Ignacio Londero in three sets, following a quarter-final appearance in Beijing last week.
With his confidence seemingly growing by the day, Australian Open organisers said the former world No.1 had committed to extending his comeback into the majors in January.
“Confirmed: Andy Murray will return to compete at the #AusOpen in 2020,” they tweeted.
The official Australian Open website said Murray “will return to the main draw with a protected ranking of number two and restored physical powers”.
He has made the final five times at Melbourne Park, losing four times to Novak Djokovic and once to Roger Federer.
However, arguably his most heartbreaking moment at the season-opening Grand Slam came not on the court but at an emotional press conference before this year’s tournament.
Murray broke down in tears describing how the pain in his right hip, which had been operated on six months earlier, had become unbearable.
Murray said after his win over Londero that his movement on the court felt like it was steadily improving.
“In the beginning I didn’t necessarily feel good, but last couple of weeks have been I think much improved,” he said.