For Andy Murray, his professional tennis career has been one plagued by injuries and numerous setbacks. Despite once dominating the court with the kind of defensive play that would rattle opponents and leave them wondering just how they could get a shot past the Brit, Murray found himself battling a hip injury that required surgery. Now, to see him back on the court is something not to be taken for granted as his return to the professional circuit has been nothing short of spectacular, a testament to Murray’s fighting spirit and ability to defy all expectation.
While the two-time Wimbledon champion later suffered an ab injury that saw him pull out of the Queen’s Club during his run to the final just two weeks ago, he now admits that he’s ready to put on a show on home soil and has already pulled Aussie James Duckworth in the first round. “It’s gone well,” Murray said about his injury. “I’ve been able to gradually progress my training this week and got to play a few sets, a lot of points – last few days have been good.”
It might be good news for Murray and his adoring fans, but for Nick Kyrgios it’s cause for concern. As the Aussie admitted, “I think he’s one of the most dangerous players on grass still,” after losing against Murray earlier this month. Speaking about Murray being one of the most difficult opponents in the world on grass, Kyrgios added: “I definitely think the way he can handle speed, return, compete, slice, volley, as long as his body is feeling well, I don’t want to see him on the grass at all. I’m playing unbelievable tennis at the moment. That first set was as good a level as anyone can produce on the grass.”
Kyrgios will arrive at Wimbledon in some of the best form of his career despite a limited playing schedule for 2022. Murray has been his only defeat by a player outside of the top 20 for the entire year so far. The only concern will be his mental state and ability to handle setbacks on the court, as more often than not we’ve seen him lose a match he technically should have won (at least on paper), simply because he imploded mentally.
In exciting news, Kyrgios will also be joining forces with old-time pal Thanasi Kokkinakis at Wimbledon after the pair won the Australian Open men’s doubles tournament and brought fans into the doubles arena for what was for many, the first time. “To be honest, I’m not really looking forward to playing best-of-five-sets doubles,” he said of Wimbledon’s structure. “I think it’s the stupidest thing ever, to be brutally honest. I don’t know why it’s best of five sets,” he said.
“No one wants to play best-of-five-sets doubles. No one wants to watch best-of-five-sets doubles. I’m excited, but I’m also dreading the fact that, if it’s one set all, I’m going to have to be playing [two or] three more sets of doubles.”
