London (AFP)
Ex-world No.1 Andy Murray, in recovery phase after a long absence due to injury, welcomed the "big step" made this week towards his return to the highest level, despite his elimination Saturday in the semifinals of the "Battle of the Brits" exhibition tournament.
"My game is well in place, I just need more time to train and prepare and I will get there," assured the Scotsman after the loss conceded to Briton Daniel Evans (1-6, 6-3, 10-8).
"I made a big step forward this week compared to what I could do before, and I managed the physical aspect relatively well," said Murray again, back on the courts for the first times since November.
In Roehampton, in an empty stadium under the measures to fight the Covid-19, Murray played four games in five days, a sequence still unimaginable a few months ago.
Operated last year at the hip, the double winner of Wimbledon (2013 and 2016) was about to return to the circuit when the pandemic interrupted all competition in March.
"Some of the tennis I played this week was very encouraging, I just didn't manage to play it long enough during my matches," said 33-year-old Murray.
The 100% British exhibition, organized until Sunday by his brother Jamie Murray, was probably Andy's last appearance before the resumption of ATP tournaments on August 14 in Washington.
When the season, largely disrupted by the Covid-19, resumes, "playing the Grand Slam tournaments would be my priority," said the Scot on Monday.
© 2020 AFP