Britain's no.1 Andy Murray has reportedly started his rehabilitation after undergoing back surgery. Yet the road to full recovery is expected to be long for the two-time Grand Slam champion, a scenario that put his participation at the 2014 Australian Open in doubt.
Murray, who already confirmed his absence in the year-ending ATP World Tour Finals in London this November, said he won't rush his rehabilitation and plans to start playing competitive tennis again, when he is 100 percent healthy.
"I hope so, but I'm not going to come back unless I'm 100% fit. I've got a long way to go yet," Murray told BBC News about his chance to play in next year's Australian Open championship.
Murray, three-time Australian Open finalist, said he has been doing all kinds of training to speed up his rehab. Then again, he insisted that he won't be back on the tennis court if doesn't feel healthy enough to play.
"I've been in the swimming pool and on the bike a little bit but it's still going to be four or five weeks until I'm back on the tennis court hitting some balls," Murray said.
"The rehab process is pretty tedious and long and I don't want to come back too soon and have to start that process all over again. I'll only come back when I'm 100% fit and I hope that's at the beginning of the year," he added.
Meanwhile, world's No.1 Rafael Nadal announced his decision to withdraw from the Basel Indoor Open due to fatigue.
"Hi all, sorry to announce that I won't travel to Basel in Switzerland but after very exhausting weeks I have to regroup my fitness and my body," Nadal posted on his Facebook account.
The reigning French and U.S. Open champion is still expected to play in late October for the Paris Masters and then travel to London in November for the ATP World Tour Finals.
- Contribute to this Story:
- Send us a tip
- Send us a photo or video
- Suggest a correction
