Tennis fans were excited to see Andy Murray make his return to singles action for the first time since his hip resurfacing operation in January. Despite playing with a metal plate in his joint, the former world No. 1 showed positive signs, even though he ultimately went down to a 6-4 6-4 defeat to Frenchman Richard Gasquet at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati.
Murray immediately announced that he would not be participating in the singles competition at the US Open, although it was not due to any pain in his hip. Instead, he is focusing on his recovery and gradually easing back into competitive play.
Speculation is now brewing about what could be next for the British tennis star.
Winston-Salem Open – August 18-24
Despite ruling himself out of the US Open singles competition, Murray has hinted at a possible appearance in the final warm-up tournament in Winston-Salem next week. This decision will depend on how he feels after his match against Gasquet and how much doubles he plays in Cincinnati.
US Open – August 26 – September 8
While he won’t be competing in singles at Flushing Meadows, Murray has confirmed his entry into the doubles and mixed doubles events. He has not yet announced his partners for either format, sparking speculation about a potential reunion with Wimbledon partner Serena Williams in the mixed doubles category.
Zhuhai Championships – September 23-29
Murray has already announced his intention to participate in the inaugural Zhuhai Championships in China. Expressing his excitement for the tournament, he stated, “I have always enjoyed playing in China and Zhuhai is meant to be a great city. It’s close to Macau and Hong Kong with an impressive stadium and I can’t wait to experience it.”
Shanghai Masters – October 6-13
After Zhuhai, Murray will head to the Chinese capital for the Shanghai Masters, having committed to playing in the China Open. This tournament holds special significance for Murray, as he emerged victorious in 2016.
Should Murray perform well in the earlier events, there is a possibility that he may enter the Shanghai Masters event. This would mark a significant step up in competition for the two-time Wimbledon champion, who has previously clinched victory at the Shanghai Masters three times.
Tennis enthusiasts will be eagerly following Murray’s journey as he continues to make his comeback to the singles circuit.
