Not everyone can identify with what Andy Murray has been through to return to the tennis court after several injuries hamper his career development.
Andy Murray was on the verge of hanging up his racquet before undergoing a second round of hip surgery in 2019. Thanks to his signature grim determination, however, the former world No 1 is back in action and ready to conquer new milestones.
Andy Murray is feeling 'fresh'
According to the Express, the British tennis star has given an update on his health after missing last week's Astana Open. Murray claims that he is in a fresh condition now, and will be competing against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in this week's ATP 250 event. It would mark his first time on the court after playing in the Laver Cup - an event that witnessed Roger Federer's heartbreaking retirement.
'I have only played two singles matches in the last month, so I feel fresh. Last week I was quite ill and could not play in Astana, but I was able to rest for five days and get here early to get used to the conditions.'
Back in June, Murray, who is 35 years old, beat Australian James Duckworth in the first round of Wimbledon at SW19 before losing to John Isner. However, given how close he was to having to retire from tennis, the fact that British tennis fans can see him playing at all may be considered a victory.
Murray has overcome injuries several times
It won't be the first time Andy Murray has overcome adversity to secure his place at Wimbledon. He has previously suffered from multiple injuries, as much as defied them.
The tennis star was forced to abandon the ATP Tour in the middle of 2017 while he sought treatment for a degenerative hip issue.
Murray's hip problems became apparent in 2018 after a brilliant career that saw him become to No. 1 in the world and lead Team GB to Davis Cup glory. He had surgery in January, but after failing to recuperate, he withdrew from Wimbledon and fell out of the top 800 in the ATP rankings.
It took him three years to come up with that response, and he seemed to be on the verge of retiring at the 2019 Australian Open. Later that year, in an attempt to alleviate his everyday pain, he had a metal cap installed during a second round of hip surgery.
Against all chances, he returned to the professional tour that year, competing in the US Open and the French Open in 2020. Because of the Covid-19 outbreak, the celebrations were held behind closed doors.
However, fresh physical difficulties arose in early 2021, and after testing positive for the illness, the athlete initially skipped the Australian Open. A groin problem was the next obstacle. It kept him out for three months, but he returned as a wildcard participant at Wimbledon.
He proceeded to the third round before losing to Denis Shapalov, but further injuries awaited him. Due to a quadriceps strain, he was unable to play in the singles event at the postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympics, but he was able to compete at Flushing Meadows, where he lost to Stefanos Tsitsipas in a match highlighted by toilet breaks.
He eventually underwent a resurfacing treatment, which cured the problem, and is now regarded among the top 50 players in the world as Wimbledon approaches. Murray shared in The Emma Barnett Meets show:
‘I was in constant pain even when I went to walk the dogs so I think, initially, it's difficult to deal with but then over time the consistency of the pain and it just being every single day sort of wore me down.'
Read more:
⋙ Will Roger Federer retire soon? Here's what he recently said on life off the court
⋙ Inside Roger Federer's huge net worth as tennis legend retires from sports
⋙ Roger Federer: a look back at his glorious career in pictures
