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Pain-free Andy Murray loving tennis again ahead of Queen's return

Andy Murray makes his return to tennis at Queen's this week. (Credit: Getty Images)
Andy Murray makes his return to tennis at Queen's this week. (Credit: Getty Images)

Andy Murray has revealed how living pain-free has reinvigorated his love for tennis as he prepares to make his playing comeback at Queen’s this week.

The former world No. 1 will partner up with Feliciano Lopez to play doubles with the hope of taking to the court at Wimbledon next month.

The 32-year-old hopes to make a singles comeback before the end of the year but, for now, he’s just happy to be back in the game.

"I didn't expect to be in this position," the three-time grand slam winner told the BBC.

"I didn't know how it would feel if I went and had the operation. But it has been brilliant, completely life-changing for me from where I was.

"I'm looking forward to getting back out there, but I don't know what to expect and I'm not putting any kind of expectations on myself.

"Just being out on the tennis court and being pain free is enough."

Murray’s battle with a crippling hip condition has given him a fresh perspective on the sport. Where once he was battling to win major titles, now he’s just glad to be able to play at all.

The double Olympic champion’s nadir arguably came at January’s Australian Open, when he appeared to hint at retirement during a teary-eyed press conference.

An emotional Andy Murray talks to the media at January's Australian Open. (Credit: Getty Images)
An emotional Andy Murray talks to the media at January's Australian Open. (Credit: Getty Images)

"There have been a number of times over the past 18 months where I did want to stop,” added Murray. “I was getting no enjoyment out of tennis at all, whether that be training, practice, matches.

"I wasn't bothered about winning matches either because it wasn't fun.

"Now I like playing tennis, getting out on the court and hitting balls. I want to keep playing if I can because I enjoy it.

"It would be nice to be winning Wimbledon and other major tournaments but hardly anyone gets the opportunity to do that.

"There are loads of players and it is still about having the love and enjoyment for the sport without being able to win the biggest competitions. I would hope I would be able to deal with that absolutely fine."

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