Murray To Take His Time Returning To The Tour

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 18th October 2013

Murray To Take His Time Returning To The Tour

epa03913704 Wimbledon champion Andy Murray (L) stands with his long time girlfriend Kim Sears (R) at Buckingham Palace in central London, Britain, 17 October 2013, where the tennis player was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by the Duke of Cambridge, Prince William. EPA/John Stillwell UK and Republic of Ireland Out, no commercial sales EDITORIAL USE ONLY |

Andy Murray has revealed he will not be taking any chances by returning to action too soon after undergoing back surgery three weeks ago. And if he is not convinced he is 100% fit in time for next January’s Australian Open then he’s quite adamant he will not play 2014’s first Grand Slam event.

The 26 year-old Scot, who dropped behind David Ferrer into fourth place on the ATP World Tour rankings on Monday, has been undergoing rehabilitation exercise under the guidance of trusted fitness trainer Matt Little for the last week. So far this only includes work in the swimming pool and on the exercise bike.

“It’s going to be four or five weeks before I am back on the court,” said Murray who is currently scheduled to play his first public shots in the Dream Cup in Barbados from November 28 to December 1. But speaking at Buckingham Palace after being presented his Officer of the British Empire medal by Prince William, he added: “I am not going to come back until I am 100 per cent fit, I don’t want to come back too soon.”

If things go according to plan, Murray will have his usual off-season training camp in Miami before starting his competitive schedule at the lucrative exhibition Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi (December 26-28) before making his ATP World Tour comeback in the Qatar ExxonMobil Open that begins in Doha on December 30.

The Australian Open begins two weeks later at Melbourne Park and Murray gave Prince William an update on his progress as the medal was pinned to his lapel. “I told him it’s been going pretty well, it has been three weeks since the operation and I started rehab a week ago,” said the Wimbledon champion.

Murray was accompanied by his long-time girlfriend Kim and divorced parents Judy and Will. “His Royal Highness also asked how I was feeling after Wimbledon, when there a lot of pressure on me,” continued the Scot.

“I teased him a bit as he had sent a note to me before Wimbledon wishing me luck and his wife had written me a letter afterwards. Her handwriting was beautiful and I told him how fantastic it was compared to his.

“I’ve met him a few times before and he has always been very easy going. He seemed very relaxed today.”

Murray was almost late for his royal appointment – the first investiture carried out by the Duke – the first as he had to carry out a random drugs test at his Surrey home before leaving for Buckingham Palace.

Even though Murray is technically ‘out of competition’ at the moment, failure to carry out the test could have risked a ‘Viktor Troicki’ like suspension. “They came about twenty past eight this morning and I had a car booked for 8.30am and was just getting ready,” revealed Murray.

“I was a bit worried I would be late but the taxi driver did a great job. It’s just part of what we have to do. But when you have a day like today you are looking forward to, it’s the last thing you need.”

Topics: 10sballs.com, Andy Murray, Atp, Australian Open, Grand Slam, Matt Little, Mubadala World Tennis Championship, Tennis, Tennis News, Viktor Troicki, Wimbledon