While some consider that the former world No. 1 has a huge chance to turn the table the other way around at the 2017 Us Open Tennis Championships, their enthusiasm level should be lower as the 30-year-old Brit will enter the battle without any proper warm-up. As a matter of fact, he will make his first official appearance since losing to Sam Querrey in Wimbledon quarterfinals.
Somehow, Andy Murray's fall in the rankings was not as abrupt as expected, mostly due to Roger Federer's inability to sustain a more alert pace. Currently ranked second in the world (with just five points between him and Federer), 2012 US Open titlist will be given the second seed status in New York.
Mixed results in Grand Slam events in 2017
While being the world No. 1, And Murray had few reasons to celebrate as he went on struggling for the most part of 2017. A mixture of injuries and low shape later translated into a below average record when it comes to Majors. Back in January, he suffered a shocking defeat in the fourth round of the Australian Open. It should've been a blockbuster with Roger Federer in the quarterfinals, but instead, it turned out to be the main upset from the round of 16 as Murray went on losing to Mischa Zverev.
The second Grand Slam of the year found Murray scrambling to gather either pace or consistency to his game. Despite all bad predictions, he reached the semis at Roland Garros where he lost to Stan Wawrinka in five sets.
The unlikely run from the French capital put him in a favorable position for the grass court season. Once again, he went on underperforming both during the warm-up session and then Wimbledon. That hip injury was an unnecessary cherry on top of the bitter cake Murray had to swallow.
Andy Murray will enter the US Open with no warm-up matches under his belt
US Open's surrounding area has a special place in Murray's heart. Flushing Meadows is the place of his first major breakthrough in men's tennis. Nine years ago, back in 2008, he reached the men's final of a Grand Slam for the first time in his career. He went losing to Federer in straight sets but four years later he won over Djokovic his only US Open title.
Now, after a summer season spent away from the professional circuit due to a hip injury, Murray will start his 2017 US Open bid. Skipping both Masters 1000 of the summer won't help his cause as he has zero facts to analyze how his body will handle the pressure of an official match. At least, he could use his last big event to put himself on a positive trend for the Asian leg where he will have a lot to defend.
