AO the target as Murray defies injuries

AO the target as Murray defies injuries

Andy Murray has been working arduous with coach Ivan Lendl as he prepares for subsequent month’s Australian Open, however the three-time grand slam champion concedes he is only one main harm from retirement.

Murray – who has reached the ultimate at Melbourne Park on 5 events however by no means managed to win the AO – underwent hip surgical procedures in 2018 and 2019, leaving him on the sidelines for a lot of the final 4 years.

However, the Scot returned to the highest 50 of the world rankings after making two tour-level finals in 2022, whereas his run to the third spherical of the US Open represented his joint-best grand slam marketing campaign since Wimbledon in 2017.

He has been coaching with Lendl – himself a two-time Australian Open winner – in a bid to make sure he enters subsequent month’s season-opening grand slam occasion in peak situation.

Murray, who completed runner-up at this yr’s Sydney Classic, has missed three of the final 5 editions of the event.

“I spent three weeks in Florida, getting my body right and getting some work done on my game and it went really well,” he mentioned.

“I’m certainly in better shape than I was. A lot of work was done in the gym, trying to build up my endurance and my stamina a bit and I’m hoping that’s going to help me next year.

“I wasn’t pleased with how final season went – definitely the final six months or so from a bodily perspective – however my rating nonetheless went from 125 to 50 in a yr.

“I’m hoping that this year, with the work I’ve done, things will continue to improve and I’ll still be motivated to get out there and compete.”

Former world No.1 Murray, who has two Wimbledon singles titles and a US Open to his title, noticed rival Roger Federer retire from the game in September after fighting a knee harm, and whereas he acknowledges health considerations may drive his hand, he isn’t but seeking to observe go well with.

“If my body is in good shape and I’m still able to compete consistently, I’ll keep playing,” he mentioned.

“But I can’t look so far in advance with the age I’m at and with the issues I’ve had.

“If I used to be to have an enormous harm, I most likely would not attempt to come again from that.”