Murray still has hunger: Henman

Tim Henman believes Andy Murray has still got the hunger to fight his injury problems and return to the ATP Tour.

Murray’s comeback from hip resurfacing surgery last year looked to be going well as he won the European Open in Antwerp, but 2020 has been tough.

An injury related to his hip surgery curtailed the early part of the year before the coronavirus pandemic kept him off court until September, and he only played seven matches before more injury issues ended his season early.

The 33-year-old has found himself back in rehabilitation and restricted to the practice court, but Henman says the fires are still burning.

“He has had an incredibly difficult last three years, trying to fight his way back from his hip injury,” Henman told the PA news agency.

“There are signs that he is making improvements and then he has another little setback. He will be desperately keen to get back to playing but he has just got to build up his strength and stamina and hopefully competing on a consistent basis.

“The tennis level is there, it is just whether his body can maintain.

“We saw him beat (Alex and er)Zve rev, who went on to get to the US Open final so Andy is still capable of playing great tennis, but that is not his challenge.

“It is the challenge of being able to put in the work on the practice court and being able to play these tough matches and recover to be ready.

“I was speaking to his coach Jamie Delgado and he mentioned his discipline and hunger and desire is amazing because these elements of the rehab are not the enjoyable bits.

“The enjoyable bits are being out on court and playing tennis and competing in the biggest tournaments.”