Andy Murray has already proven a massive point by returning from the brink of retirement after suffering a career-threatening hip injury, but he faces a huge challenge in 2020 to return to the top sport amid the presence of the big three and the rising stars in the game. Despite his withdrawal from the 2020 Australian Open, his talents, grit and past resume of accomplishment have many people asking if he can contend and win for Grand Slam singles titles again.
Murray has only competed at two of the last nine Grand Slams, only progressing as far as the second round in the 2018 US Open. His last appearance in a major came at the Australian Open in 2019, crashing out in the first round at the hands of Roberto Bautista Agut. The event in Melbourne could have been his last hoorah, but the 32-year-old has battled his way back to fitness to compete at the highest level, although it will take a great deal more effort to return to the peak of his powers.
Murray is backed in the tennis betting odds at 1/8 to win at least one Grand Slam in 2020. At his best, the Scot is capable of matching the elite players in the world, while the slight slippage of Roger Federer could allow him to break back into the latter stages of the major tournaments.
If there is an opening in the top three, Murray has to be the one to seize it rather than the influx of new talent emerging. Alexander Zverev, Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas are all on the rise and will be looking to make their impact in the slams in 2020 to break Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal’s stranglehold of the crowns.
There were signs towards the end of last season that the 32-year-old was ready to return to his best. It took time, but he won his first ATP Tour title since 2017 in October when he rose to the occasion to triumph in the European Open against Stanislas Wawrinka. Murray worked this way through the opening three rounds of the competition, only dropping one set. Ugo Humbert provided a test in the semi-finals, but Murray produced his best tennis to secure a comeback victory.
Wawrinka started the final on the front foot and was able to win the first set. The Scot needed a reaction and proved that he has not lost his ability to perform under pressure, securing the final two sets 6-4, 6-4 to claim the title. Beating Wawrinka was a major step forward as Murray continues to search for his best form, but whether he will be able to return to a standard that can see off Djokovic and Nadal is another matter.
Murray’s speed around the court was always one of his strongest suits, keeping points alive to the last. The severity of his hip injury may have impacted his mobility, robbing him of one of his key attributes. Nadal, Djokovic and Federer have all battled injuries in their careers and have come out the other side to win majors. The gauntlet now for Murray is to prove he belongs in their company once again, although it may be even harder than his initial breakthrough in 2012 when he claimed the first of his three slams and an Olympic gold medal.
