Murray motivated by desire to prove doctors wrong
ANDY MURRAY says his latest comeback is driven by a desire to prove some of his surgeons wrong — and to play in front of fans at next year’s Wimbledon. The former world No 1 — now ranked 134 — will today discover his opening opponent for next week’s US Open, which will be his first Grand Slam singles appearance since his first-round exit at the Australian Open in January 2019. It was after that event that Murray had a second operation on his troublesome hip, with some doctors telling him he should retire. But the 33-year-old Scot has fought back to fitness and found form in this week’s US Open warm-up event at the Western and Southern Open, where he beat German world No 7 Alexander Zverev before losing 6-2, 6-2 to Canada’s Milos Raonic in the last 16 in the early hours of yesterday. ‘There are a lot of people that told me I should stop, which probably made me want to do it even more,’ said Murray, who has been given a wildcard for the US Open and could be drawn against any of the top seeds. ‘There were a few surgeons that told me it was done, which annoyed me a lot. I have learned lots about myself. It’s been a good journey. ‘I think if I can stay healthy, I’ll have some more good moments on the tennis court. ‘It’s a challenge playing with a metal hip, it’s not that easy. ‘But hopefully I have inspired some people who have got these issues, and might have the operation, to keep going. To play at Wimbledon again would be nice.’