Former British No. 1 Tim Henman believes that, not only does Andy Murray have a future at the top level, but his major-winning days are far from over.
Two-time Wimbledon champion Murray has battled through significant hip, back and knee injuries in recent years to reclaim his place on the ATP circuit. However, the fact remains he hasn't reached the second week of a Grand Slam competition since 2017.
It was a year prior to that the Scot clinched the most recent of his three major trophies, a collection that started with his U.S. Open triumph in 2012. And Henman has backed his fellow Briton to reach the pinnacle once again as he prepares for a return to Flushing Meadows later this month.
“I think [Murray’s] had such a sort of challenging last four or five years and now he’s starting to build some consistency with his fitness so now he can play on a more consistent schedule,” said Henman at ‘Play Your Way to Wimbledon’ Powered by Vodafone.
“For me he’s still only scratching the surface. He’s in the top 50 and if he plays the full schedule then I definitely think he can be back seeded in the grand slams. You’ll get to see him with more protection and then he can have a really good run in in the slams still. And that’s definitely the motivating factor.”
First-round defeats in Washington and Cincinnati recently painted the picture that Murray is perhaps not in position to regain his place atop the tennis totem. But the return to a full schedule and consistent matchups is all the evidence Henman needs to suggest a major isn't outside his grasp.
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It was early 2019 when the prospect of Murray's retirement first emerged as a possibility, largely due to complications caused by a longstanding hip complaint. However, a metal plate has since allowed the 35-year-old to play free of pain, refreshing his prospects to some extent.
After falling in the second rounds of the Australian Open and Wimbledon earlier this year, the U.S. Open will be the next barometer of those credentials. Murray's 77 per cent win ratio in the Big Apple is his worst return in any of the four Grand Slams.
A decade on from his maiden major in New York, the veteran will hope to highlight the value of experience in major competitions. Murray's trophy cabinet would undoubtedly have a few more Grand Slam additions were it not for injury woes down the years, and Henman has complete faith in his ability to make up for lost time.
