Three-time Grand Slam winner planning to return to practice courts towards end of March
Thursday 1 March 2018 11:45, UK
Andy Murray's rehabilitation from hip surgery is going so well that the former world No 1 could return to action sooner than expected, according to Sky sources.
Murray has been targeting a return for the grass-court season having been sidelined since last year's Wimbledon due to a hip problem that he had surgery on in the new year, after breaking down again just before the start of the Australian Open.
Murray, who turns 31 in May, has been back in the gym working on the bike, Versaclimber, weights and regular pilates classes, with plans of returning to the court towards the end of March and the intention of being match ready in time for the grass season.
And with his rehabilitation from injury going better than expected, he could be back sooner than Wimbledon.
The signs appear to be very positive for the Scot, who has indicated his intentions of travelling overseas for warm weather training in the next couple of months, although it is dependent on when he returns to the court.
Murray's likely comeback tournament looked set to be Queen's, which begins on June 18, although there are ATP Tour events on grass the previous week in Germany and Holland, while he could even choose to play one or more of the lower-tier British tournaments.
Murray has slipped to 21st in the rankings and will lose the British No 1 spot on Monday for the first time in a decade when his points for winning last year's Dubai Championships drop off, allowing Kyle Edmund to leapfrog him.
He is likely to be ranked outside the top 100 when he does finally return to action, although he will be able to enter tournaments using a protected ranking.
You can watch the Tie Break Tens tournament live from Madison Square Gardens in New York on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Mix from midnight on Monday, and don't forget you can watch repeats on Sky Sports Action from midday on Tuesday and 7pm on Sky Sports Action & Sky Sports Mix.
Keep up to date with the latest on www.skysports.com/tennis with news, previews, live blogs, reports and expert analysis. On the move? Head to our app for mobile devices and iPad, or follow our Twitter account @SkySportsTennis to join in the conversation.
