Mark Petchey, who was Andy Murray’s coach between 2005 and 2006, has said the Scotsman should look to play a few Challenger tournaments before making a return to ATP singles following his surgery.
Murray had featured in the doubles at Wimbledon earlier this year, marking a return to competitive tennis after having earlier said he might not play tennis again. His hip surgery looked liked it had gone to plan and Murray has regularly posted photos and videos of him looking to get back to the sport at the highest level.
And while Petchey reckons Murray will be gunning not just to feature in tournaments but also endeavour to win at the Grand Slams, he also said it would do the former world number a world of good if he looked to play at the Challenger level.
Speaking to the Herald Scotland, Petchey revealed:
“Winning, being No 1 in the world, taking another Slam, that is what he wants,” he is quoted as saying in Herald Scotland. To be competitive, to get out there and give himself a chance against his biggest rivals, that is what Andy is looking to do.”
“There is no way in my opinion that Andy would come back if he didn’t genuinely feel he had a chance in one of these big four events.”
He added it was ‘fantastic’ to see Murray play doubles at Wimbledon but in order to get back to serious singles play, the Scot will need to get back to the kind of physical routine that would pull him through on a long-term basis.
Petchey said:
“In terms of hitting a ball he doesn’t look far off it all to be honest but to put that together with all the movement he needs is going to be extremely challenging. That is why there is such a good case for playing a Challenger event first, just to get back on the court. We have to understand what it entails to get back. There is no point rushing it.”
Murray has admitted that US Open would be too soon to expect him to resume playing singles but he will take confidence from making it to the round of 16 at the mixed doubles competition with Serena Williams. He also partnered with Pierre-Hugues Herbert to make the second round at the men’s doubles of the same tournament.
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