Andy Murray returns to practice court to step up recovery after ankle injury in Wimbledon fitness race

ByBen Southby

Published 19/04/2024 at 13:06 GMT

After he ruptured two ankle ligaments at the Miami Open last month, Andy Murray has returned to the court to step up his rehabilitation ahead of what could be his final summer in professional tennis. Murray's Wimbledon hopes were boosted after he shared a video on social media, which showed him comfortably striking forehands on an indoor court. There is still no date on the 36-year-old's return.

Andy Murray took a big step towards his comeback from injury after he returned to the practice court on Friday.

The former world No. 1 looked sharp during his third-round Miami Open clash with Tomas Machac until he ruptured an ankle ligament towards the end of the match.

Despite battling on, Murray was eventually beaten before the extent of his injury was revealed, casting doubt on his summer campaign and Wimbledon appearance - which will likely be his last Grand Slam outing.

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However, Murray did not require surgery on the injury and earlier this week a spokesperson said the 36-year-old’s rehabilitation was “going well”.

Murray’s chances of a Wimbledon swansong seem to have been boosted further after the two-time champion shared a video on social media out on the practice court for the first time since late March.

The video, posted on Friday morning, showed Murray hitting some comfortable forehand shots on an indoor court as he stepped up his preparations for the summer.

Despite his progress, there is still no date for Murray’s expected return with Wimbledon set to begin on July 26.

Although the timing of his return remains unclear, the three-time Grand Slam winner has been included on the French Open entry list which starts on May 26.

The timing of Murray’s injury could not have been worse for the veteran after he recorded back-to-back victories for the first time this year in Miami.

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - MARCH 24: Andy Murray of Great Britain injures his left leg during a rally against Tomas Machac of the Czech Republic in the third round of the Miami Open at the Hard Rock Stadium on March 24, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Phot

Image credit: Eurosport

Following his first-round exit at the Australian Open to Tomas Martin Etcheverry in January, he picked up his first win of the year against Alexandre Muller at the Qatar Open.

He followed that up with wins over Denis Shapovalov at the Dubai Tennis Championship and then David Goffin at Indian Wells.

Although victories were only coming sporadically, Murray was clearly building momentum ahead of the summer after a treacherous few years.

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His only consecutive triumphs came against Matteo Berrettini and Etcheverry in a promising Miami Open campaign as he began to look back to his best before injury struck.

Murray ruled himself out of the Monte-Carlo Masters and Bavarian International in April, but still has the French Open, Wimbledon and the Olympic Games in Paris in his sight despite the setback.

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