Andy Murray must be eager to put that tennis mechanism back on track. Reaching the highest spot of the ATP ranking in late 2016 came as a huge achievement, but at the same time, the amount of effort he had to put in to achieve those numbers took its toll in 2017. Scrambling to regain pace and form in the first part of 2017, Andy Murray saw his efforts reaching an abrupt end due to an unexpected hip injury. Showing some first signs at the French Open, that hip injury became a real issue once the transition from clay court to grass unfolded. Reaching the last eight stages at Wimbledon stands as Murray's last win of the season.
Murray will step into a different environment
Earlier this year, Murray was still the highest-ranked player in the world. Failing to defend his title at Wimbledon marked the beginning of the end with Rafael Nadal closing the gap from behind. Mainly due to inactivity, Andy Murray wasn't allowed to fight back. Therefore, he ended the year ranked 16th in the world. It's his worst year's end ranking in almost a decade and a clue that the current recipe may have some flaws in it. The Brit used to play a jam-packed schedule throughout a year. In the aftermath of that painful hip injury and considering the phase of his career he is about to enter, the calendar might suffer some changes.
Moreover, there is a tendency for change that has been sweeping all over the ATP professional circuit.
While old titans like Federer and Nadal are still pushing for trophies, the new wave of ATP tennis star has put its grip on power too. Alexander Zverev leads a pack of young wolves determined to start a new era in men's tennis. Others like Wawrinka, Djokovic, Nishikori or Raonic will join Murray in an attempt to impose their own will.
What makes Murray a favorite of the contest
For those who have more knowledge about men's tennis, it's clear that Andy Murray is not the most talented player of the herd, maybe he's not even inside the top five under this classification. Even so, he has been one of most relevant names in the contest over the last decade or so.
What makes him a top shelve player is a flawless work ethic and that genuine dedication to the sport.
Andy Murray can be described as a genuine baseliner who uses a two-handed backhand to gain leverage during an exchange. He disrupts the game with a variety of shots and loves to open up the courts and to dominate his opponent from the baseline. The drop shot, that he has crafted so well, gives him an element of unpredictability, especially on a slower surface.
When he was forced to step off the stage due to an injury, Murray left some unfinished business. he hasn't had the chance to enjoy being the world's No.1. His reign lasted more than six months and he won only one ATP 500 event along the way. Therefore, that reality might be just another stimulus for the comeback he must be having on his mind.
