Saturday 30 December 2017 21:34, UK
Andy Murray says he is beginning to feel better after making his comeback from a five-month injury lay-off in a one-set exhibition loss to Roberto Bautista Agut.
Murray, 30, lost 6-2 to world number 20 Bautista Agut at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship on Friday after filling in for Novak Djokovic - a late withdrawal due to a recurrence of pain in his right elbow.
The three-time Grand Slam champion last played a competitive match in June 2017, losing to Sam Querrey in the Wimbledon quarter-finals, with a hip injury ruling him out for the remainder of the season.
"Obviously I made a slow start and Roberto is one of the best players in the world," he said.
"When you haven't competed for a while, it takes time to get up to that pace. I started to feel a bit better towards the end but I need to keep improving for sure.
"It was nice to be able to play. I was just planning on stopping here for a couple of days on the way to Australia to get some practice in with the guys.
"But obviously it was unfortunate that Novak was not able to play and I was here so I agreed to play a set and obviously I am happy to be able to come out here and play in front of everyone."
Murray travelled to Australia on Friday night and will continue his comeback at the Brisbane International ahead of the Australian Open which begins on January 16, 2018.
Murray has a first-round bye in Brisbane and will then play Ryan Harrison or Leonardo Mayer in the second round.
Kevin Anderson beat Dominic Thiem 7-6 (6) 6-4 to set up a final against Bautista Agut on Saturday,
