Andy Murray targeting Miami comeback

Andy Murray is hoping to make his ATP Tour return at the Miami Open – although his longer-term fitness remains uncertain.

The former world number one underwent hip resurfacing surgery in January 2019 and made a triumphant doubles comeback at Queen’s Club in June before capturing a singles title in Antwerp four months later.

However, he has not played since a Davis Cup defeat of Tallon Griekspoor in November and news emerged last week that he may have to have another operation due to heterotopic ossification, which is bone growing outside the normal skeleton.

Murray : “I’ve hit twice since the Davis Cup for 40 minutes”

That issue has not gone away but, for now, the three-time grand slam champion is hoping to return at the Masters Series event in Miami, which starts on March 25.

The 32-year-old told Amazon Prime : “In the short, short term, I’m training to try to get ready for Miami.

“I have done so much rehab these last few months that in terms of my strength, and everything, all the muscles around the hip are working well, it’s just I hadn’t played tennis.

“I’ve hit twice since the Davis Cup for 40 minutes so I need some time to build up and feel good on the court again. That’s my plan just now unless I have a setback or something.”

What a fighter. What a champion.

: @andy_murray pic.twitter.com/zacxRFhhuZ

— ATP Tour (@atptour) March 2, 2020

Wimbledon and Olympics still in jeopardy for Murray

Talking on September 26 about the potential for further surgery, he said: “What I need to do is build up in these next couple of weeks to really test it. Hopefully it responds fine, but if it doesn’t then I need to potentially have that [growth] removed.

“I can’t have it removed until it is finished growing. I should know by the end of next month whether I’m good to play or not with it. If they can’t get to it with an arthroscope, I would have to be opened up again. That takes longer to recover.

“It’s not like a major operation to have it removed but, if they cannot get there with an arthroscope to remove it, that is the issue.”

Surgery could see Murray miss Wimbledon and the Tokyo Olympics.