With the new season just underway, Brit Andy Murray will be hoping for a flying start. The former World number 1 has been beset with injuries. Murray felt forced to announce his retirement in 2019. The Brit underwent hip resurfacing, which left Murray pain free.
The Brit has since struggled on the comeback trail. With the ranking drop due to the time out with the injury and the corona virus pandemic, the Brit was no longer seeded in larger events. Last season, Murray made the final of a Challenger event in Biella Italy. The Brit was the top seed. However, Ukranian Illya Marchenko took the victory, denying Murray the title.
How does Andy Murray look for the Australian Open
Murray failed to go deep in most tournaments. However, this was to be expected as the Brit was on the comeback trail. The comeback has been slower than the Brit would have liked, mostly because the 2020 season stalled with the worldwide pandemic.
Murray is still enjoying playing tennis, which allows him to dictate when he will retire and not have it forced on him. The start of the 2022 season sees the Brit with a wildcard for ATP 250 Melbourne. Murray has been practicing and appears to be in form.
Rafael Nadal and the Brit had a practice session and the Spaniard posted a picture on his instagram account with the caption “Great practice today with an “old” friend”
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Murray also practiced with another Brit Ryan Peniston on his arrival in Melbourne. The former World #1 has also been awarded a wild card for the first Grand Slam of the year. The Brit will be unseeded at the Australian Open. However, no one will really want to play Murray that early in the event.
US Open
Back in August 2021 the Brit entered the US Open at Flushing Meadows, and was drawn against Stefanos Tsitsipas. The Greek had to battle past Murray in the first round. The match became a five set thriller with the third seed edging out the Brit.
Although Murray lost in the first round, signs of the “old” Murray were evident. The Brit played some amazing shots, and looked comfortable on the court.
Australian Open 2022
As unlikely as it currently stands, Murray should not be written off for the Australian Open. In fact the Brit should not be written off at any event. Some will be tougher than others. No one will want to face the Brit in the early rounds. Murray, a five-time finalist at the Australian Open, can get this season off to a flying start.
Murray is very much an underdog at the moment in tournaments. It is only a matter of time before the Brit makes a deep run into an event, or even wins a title.
The Australian Open may be a little earlier for the Brit to make the in roads, but do not count out the former World #1.
Main Photo from Getty.
