Former world No. 1 Andy Murray has said he can finally play without worrying about his hip following career-saving surgery in January, but expects next year’s Australian Open to be the biggest test of his progress.
The 32-year-old looked on the verge of ending his career at the start of 2019 after a first-round Australian Open exit, but returned to singles action on the ATP Tour in August following resurfacing surgery, and won his first singles trophy since 2017 when he beat Stanislas Wawrinka in Antwerp last month.
Before that he won the Queen’s doubles title in June in his first tournament after returning from injury.
Having played only one match in Britain’s run to the last-four of the Davis Cup Finals in Spain last week due to a groin issue, Murray is hoping to build up his fitness ahead of the first Grand Slam of 2020.
“I know I’ll be able to compete in major tournaments without having to worry about it,” Murray told reporters ahead of a documentary release on his injury problems over the last year.
“I’ve played three-set matches and some long ones recently, but the best of five is an extra hour, hour and a half on top of that, so I’ll find out in Australia.
“At the beginning, you’re thinking about [the hip] after every movement you make and that’s not a good way to go into competing, but now I’m not thinking about it when I’m playing.”
Three-time Grand Slam champion Murray, who is a five-time runner up at the Australian Open also said: “I was asked what would be success in Australia, and I don’t know how I’ll perform.
“I’m not expecting to win the tournament, but if I can play a five-set match and get through and have no ill effects on the hip … that’s success.”
Murray is also scheduled to play in the inaugural ATP Cup in Australia, starting on Jan. 3.