Picture it. It’s December 2016. Andy Murray has reached the final of three of the last four Grand Slams including a memorable second Wimbledon title.
Partner that with a second Olympic Gold Medal in Rio and Britain’s first victory in the year-end ATP World Tour Finals. Ending the year as world’s best Tennis player amongst one of the sports best eras. Djokovic, Nadal, Federer none of whom could topple the 29-year-old Scot who was on a remarkable run.
Unfortunately, it all came crashing down at the hands of a horrifying hip injury. Wimbledon 2017. A year on from Murray’s heroics in the final against Milos Raonic. A gruelling five-set match against America’s Sam Querrey ended in defeat with the Brit noticeably walking with a limp during the latter stages of the contest.
At first Murray insisted it was a culmination of the many weeks, days and hours he spent on the tour. However, during an emotional press conference two days before the beginning of the 2018 Australian Open, Murray announced he is to return home for further consultations.
He announced his successful hip replacement surgery in Melbourne.
The hip replacement surgery is ground-breaking for an active singles player with the only other person to receive the surgery, the legendary American doubles player Bob Bryan.
A career built on not resilience and chasing down every ball possible, no one questioned the heart and determination of the Brit.
Was it mission impossible? He was certain to prove people wrong.
June that year and after 342 days away from the tour, he lost his first competitive outing against Nick Kyrgios in 3 sets at Queens.
After a run of tournaments over a couple of months, people begin to get excited over the return of Andy Murray.
The Glasgow-born Murray then broke down at the 2019 Australian Open press conference announcing he may retire after the tournament.
Two and a half years on from that and Murray has just suffered a narrow defeat to the world number three Alexander Zverev in Indian Wells.
Murray spoke to the press following his third-round exit in America and was keen to point out the positives.
He said: “The good thing for me is that once again I had opportunities. I didn’t feel like I played a great match, but the chances were there. Of course, I am disappointed because I want to be winning matches. I haven’t been able to do that in the past few months.”
He was also keen to rule himself out of playing the Davis Cup finals, which he led Britain to victory in 2015 for the first time since 1936, in November.
“I don’t feel like I would be playing right now.”
“Obviously that would be up to Leon, but I am not sure I deserve to play in that team. Dan (Evans) and Cam (Norrie) have both had terrific seasons and a few of the boys from the doubles have been on good form.”
Murray also spoke about the struggles on tour now and the prolonged periods away from his family.
“I want to make sure in the off season I get to spend as much time as possible with my family as I can because I haven’t seen them much in the last couple months. I am going to Australia at the back end of the year and that will be the same case.”
A tumultuous five-year period full of the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. Britain’s Sir Andy Murray looks to embark on one final hoorah as he approaches the back end of his career.
After two successful hip surgeries he finally looks to head onto the tour on a full-time basis.
Can he complete the most remarkable career revival? If anyone can, it is Andy Murray.