Andy Murray made a pain induced exit at the Toronto Masters/National Bank Open but the former British #1 Laura Robson suggests that Scot’s rise to top tier is certain now.
Murray who plays now with a metal hip issued an apology to the fans in Canada after pulling out of the Masters 1000 event. The 3-time Grand Slam Champion was set to face Italian Jannik Sinner but exited the hardcourt clash after experiencing an abdominal strain.
In a statement, the Brit said: “I had a very similar issue last year in the tournament in Stuttgart before Wimbledon which forced me to miss the Queen’s Club tournament and I was able to play Wimbledon.
“It took me about 10 to 12 days before I was feeling good again.
“This is not as bad as that but obviously the danger if you compete and play on it is you make it worse.
“So, I’ll need to see how it develops over the coming days and hopefully feel better in a few days. I’m really sorry.”
If the condition is being rightly diagnosed, Murray will be available for the US Open draw which will be announced later this month. Murray holds a never ending love for game and has come a long way to perform for his fans.
2-time Wimbledon Champion has been coming up short against top-seeds most recently but the tight scoreboard in those matches suggests that he is close to registering some big wins. Following a heartbreaking R2 loss against Stefanos Tsitsipas at Wimbledon last month, Murray will try to get to the second week at New York major and Robson believes the goal is attainable as the 36-year old is ready to challenge the big guns once again.
“He is playing so consistently now, playing week-in, week-out. The more matches he can play the better. He is one of the toughest opponents out there, he never gives in and he is great at working out matches as he goes,” said former WTA pro.
“This is what he has been striving for in the last few years since his return. He is very much back up there again.
“You thought maybe he was going to do it at Wimbledon, but it seems inevitable that it will happen at some point.
“The fact that he is still loving it as much as he does is a positive sign and for all the young lads coming up to see someone who has won as much as he has still competing as well as he did 15 years ago, that’s inspiring,” said Robson while talking to Tennis365 at a Play Your Way To Wimbledon event.
The Scot has now developed a habit of playing or forcing long matches on the tour and Robson has admitted that she prepares for an extended commentating shift when covering a tie that involves Murray.
“Whenever I am commentating on an Andy Murray match, I know I’m in for a long shift,” she added.
“You always know he’s going to turn every match a very physical battle and try to lengthen out the rallies.
“The fact that he has got himself back into the position where we are talking about him as one of the top guys again is the most important thing.”