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Will Andy Murray make a successful return to the 2019 ATP World Tour?

By Harry Floyd

NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 29: Andy Murray of Great Britain prepares to serve during his men's singles second round match against Fernando Verdasco of Spain on Day Three of the 2018 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 29, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 29: Andy Murray of Great Britain prepares to serve during his men's singles second round match against Fernando Verdasco of Spain on Day Three of the 2018 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 29, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /
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Former world number one Andy Murray is eyeing his comeback to the 2019 ATP World Tour after an injury-rattled two seasons.

Andy Murray looks to make another comeback to the ATP World Tour in early 2019. This past year, Murray announced to fans that he had undergone hip surgery and would need time to recover at the start of 2018. Then, he would play select tournaments and even post photos like this one to social media alluding that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

In the absence of the former world number one, fellow friend and rival Novak Djokovic has risen atop the men’s singles rankings.

Djokovic made the 2018 ATP World Tour the Year of Nole. He would win back to back Grand Slam singles titles at both the Wimbledon Championships and the US Open before taking back the top ranking in men’s singles. Other veteran stars like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have also found their stride as of late. Federer more so than Nadal who, like Murray, has dealt with more injury issues this past year.

Andy Murray is fighting an uphill battle in his return to the ATP World Tour.

Murray’s 2018 play included action at the US Open. While Djokovic would emerge as the champion there, all the British tennis star was looking for was some big tournament experience.

At Flushing Meadows, Murray took an opening match win over James Duckworth. He would win their meeting in four sets, taking the final three of the match. Then, Murray fell to Spanish tennis veteran Fernando Verdasco in the round of 64. Following the US Open, Murray strung together two wins at the Shenzhen Open before falling to Verdasco again the quarterfinals. His Shenzhen run included a win over rising tennis star David Goffin.

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It was a wise decision for former world number one Andy Murray to step away and recover after action at the Shenzhen Open. His return to the 2019 ATP World Tour will be largely dependent upon his offseason recovery. He continues to workout and hopes to come back strong early this coming year. Can Murray return to a top ranking in men’s singles tennis? Djokovic was able to but it is no small feat. Stay tuned to see how he bounces back in the coming months.

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