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Andy Murray hard at work during offseason, eyeing 2018 ATP World Tour

ByHarry Floyd|
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 12: Andy Murray of Great Britain plays a backhand during the Gentlemen's Singles quarter final match against Sam Querrey of The United States on day nine of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 12, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 12: Andy Murray of Great Britain plays a backhand during the Gentlemen's Singles quarter final match against Sam Querrey of The United States on day nine of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 12, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Andy Murray is hard at work during the offseason. After ending his year early due to injury, the former world No. 1 is back on the practice court.

Andy Murray is eager to return to competitive action on the ATP World Tour.

The former world No. 1 posted videos via his social media last week of him practicing. As he has decided to go without surgery for his lingering injuries, Murray is in the middle of an extensive rehabilitation program.

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It is fantastic to see Murray on the practice courts. A three-time Grand Slam title winner, the British tennis star is one of the best in the sport.

Andy Murray appears on target for an early 2018 return to the ATP World Tour.

While the former world No. 1 has not entirely ruled out hitting the courts before the end of the year, competitive action on the ATP World Tour is coming to a close. Most likely, Murray will continue to practice and recover with an eye on next year.

The Australian Open is the first of the four Grand Slams in the calendar year.

Murray is a former five-time finalist at the major tournament. Last year, he dropped the finals match to Serbian superstar Novak Djokovic. Murray would undoubtedly like to add an Australian Open title to his resume. If he can return healthy enough to compete at a high level that early in the tour, he must be considered a contender for the Grand Slam title.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Baj_2Q7FCm2/?taken-by=andymurray

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Andy Murray appears in high spirits. The former world No. 1 has expressed a strong desire to be back on the tour and of course fans and players alike would love to see him out there. Other top players in men’s singles tennis such as Djokovic, Stan Wawrinka, and Kei Nishikori are also out for the remainder of 2017 due to injury. Despite losing these stars of the sport for the 2017 ATP World Tour, all appear to be recovering well in the offseason.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bahd-rElpXF/?taken-by=andymurray

Elsewhere on the tour, Rafael Nadal is chasing the year-end world No. 1 ranking. With Roger Federer withdrawing from play at the 2017 Paris Masters, Nadal needs just one win in order to lock in the end of year world No. 1 ranking. He and Federer both will headline play at the ATP Finals in London. Last year, Andy Murray took home his first ever ATP Finals title. This year, Nadal aims to win his first at the end of year tournament. Stay tuned to see how Andy Murray and others are faring in the offseason and check back for updates on the Paris Masters and ATP Finals.

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