Andy Murray

JonH · All-time great

Andy Murray

JonH · All-time great

Looks like one or two papers are casting doubts on whether Andy will be ready for Oz, he has delayed his travel plans it seems.

www.telegraph.co.uk/tennis/2017/12/20/andy-murray-faces-anxious-wait-fears-grow-scots-comeback-injury/

Also, Stan and Raonic are clearly not right yet as they have dropped out of Abu Dhabi Mubudala event, Anderson and Rublev replacing them.

With Nishikori not right yet, it looks touch and go on how many of the big names that are injured make it to Melbourne, although Djoko looks good, at least for now.

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

indiana wrote:
Andy's limp after his exibition matches was a bit worrying ( the last time I saw Eleanor Dean was in Glasgow at the start of the year, playing very well with no obvious issue then visibly limping along the walkway straight after so I guess I worry about ongoing issues ).

But he does seem to be stepping things up. So here's hoping ...

There's an article by Stu Fraser in today's Times under the headline, "Doubts over Murray return" - opening paragraph:

Fears are growing that Andy Murray may not be ready for the start of the 2018 season, calling into doubt his participation at the Australian Open next month.

A little further on:

[Murray] returned to London last week, a few days earlier than expected, from his Miami training block.

And a reference to the limp:

Murray would be wise to heed such advice [Fed's "Take your time, however long it takes", offered at the Glasgow charity exhibition match] if he is still feeling discomfort in his right hip. Last month, he was still walking with a visible limp.

cry

indiana · Tennis legend

Yes, certainly if he's not right then look longer term.

If Andy does make the Aussie Open but can't / doesn't defend his final ( Doha 2017 ) points in the first week of the year he will drop to at best WR 18 on 08/01, the rankings on which the Aus Open seedings will be based.

Re some other at least doubts, Wawrinka is top 16 but Nishikori and Raonic are not so he would look quite likely then to be seeded outside the top 16 and seeded to meet a seed 9 to 16 in the last 32 ( Djokovic, Del Potro, Wawrinka if fit? )

JonH · All-time great

Out of interest, when would Andy get a protected ranking? Is it after 6 months of inaction, and would it be the ranking he had at that point ie at end of US Open?

Not that he needs one at this stage, but just interested. He will obviously drop most of his ranking points come the summer if he ends up with a long lay off and could well need one come the summer season?

the addict · Tennis legend

Correct me if I have misunderstood the rulebook.

He has to apply for one within 6 months of his last tournament, and the ranking is the average position during the first three months of his injury
(ATP rulebook sections IX F 1 & 2)

JonH · All-time great

Looks like djokovic had to pull out with his elbow in Abu Dhabi and Nadal has withdrawn from brisbane. Not looking good at this stage for all of the walking wounded to return for Melbourne...

JonH · All-time great

According to the draw on the wiki page, Andy is replacing djokovic and playing today v Bautista Agut.. Anyone able to verify that?

seagull · Hall of fame

Andy is taking Novak's place and playing an exhibition match

JonH · All-time great

Telegraph reporting that Andy has stepped in and also tournament Facebook page. Let's hope it works out ok for him, though disappointed for djoko. Fingers crossed. Result not important, playing a full match is the key for Andy

JonH · All-time great

seagull wrote:
Andy is taking Novak's place and playing an exhibition match

thanks seagull

the addict · Tennis legend

Reported as only a 1 set exhibition - live on Eurosport 2, and I dare say streamed elsewhere.

Fingers crossed !

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Well, I know it was only an exhibition match and a gentle run out, but for me Andy doesn't look any less injured than he did when he limped out against Querrey at Wimbledon last year. The result and scoreline today were irrelevant but I would be very surprised if Andy is fit enough to play by the Aussie Open.

indiana · Tennis legend

Bob in Spain wrote:
Well, I know it was only an exhibition match and a gentle run out, but for me Andy doesn't look any less injured than he did when he limped out against Querrey at Wimbledon last year. The result and scoreline today were irrelevant but I would be very surprised if Andy is fit enough to play by the Aussie Open.

Hmm, doesn't sound good and I think alarm bells were already ringing a bit with his clearly later than originally intended travel down under.

I did say that I might well revisit my WR 1 prediction for Andy, and I suspect I will, but very difficult to assess what to change it to

the addict · Tennis legend

Certainly rusty, and movement generally below par, although not bad in small patches. Serve not working well until near the end when he got a few more first serves in, and found some aces. Needs more practice time against top players, but doesn't look anywhere fit enough right now.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if he doesn't pull out. And with other players looking doubtful as well, who know what is going to happen this year.