Andy Murray has warned Laura Robson she must not rush her comeback
Thursday 18 June 2015 21:29, UK
Andy Murray has warned Laura Robson she must overcome "mental baggage" to realise her full potential and must not rush her big comeback after 17 months battling wrist trouble.
Robson has accepted a wildcard entry into qualifying for the Aegon International Eastbourne event, and must win twice this weekend to reach next Monday's first-round action.
The 21-year-old has not played since the 2014 Australian Open and is bidding to prove her fitness in time to warrant a wildcard entry at Wimbledon.
"I'd imagine it would be very tough, for a number of reasons," said Murray of Robson's comeback after wrist surgery and a complicated recovery.
"Obviously playing at the elite level or top level of any sport is hard at the best of times but when you haven't played for 17 months, obviously she's going to be extremely rusty, probably be lacking confidence in movement, body.
"There is a lot of mental baggage that she will have to deal with when she comes back.
"I don't know if she works with someone on that front but it is not going to come overnight, it's going to take some time and some matches."
Robson's wrist saga has run and run, with every putative comeback date revised until now.
The former world No 27 has been out of the game long enough that she currently boasts no ranking whatsoever, but would still command a Wimbledon wildcard entry should she be ready in time.
Murray partnered Robson to mixed doubles silver at the London 2012 Olympics, and backed the junior Wimbledon champion for a "fantastic career" - provided she treads carefully on her return to action.
"She's an unbelievably talented woman; she has a lot of potential," said Murray.
"She trains hard, surrounds herself with the right people, does all the right things - she can have a fantastic career.
"It's going to take time for her to come back from this. If somehow she does do it quickly that would be awesome, but I wouldn't expect that."
It's going to take time for her to come back from this. If somehow she does do it quickly that would be awesome, but I wouldn't expect that.
