Reporters Pocket book: Sky Sports activities’ Dan Khan displays on his weekend at Wimbledon with Andy Murray on his thoughts | Tennis Information

It has been on my thoughts rather a lot, the one title on everybody’s lips over the weekend earlier than Wimbledon: Andy Murray.

How is he? Will he have the ability to get on court docket one closing time? How can he after having an operation on his backbone only a week in the past? How a lot will it imply to him to have one closing goodbye at Wimbledon?

In a means it feels typical of Murray, the state of affairs he finds himself in.

He had an operation on his backbone simply over per week in the past and now, as he has in earlier years with the assorted challenges posed in entrance of him, he has yet another to beat.

To do that, as soon as once more, Murray will likely be testing his bodily and psychological limits to do all the pieces he can to get on court docket for that second… that particular second the place he can take within the applause of the crowds who’ve supported him within the lowest in addition to highest moments of his profession – which have largely taken place at Wimbledon.

I spoke to Sky Sports activities Tennis analyst Laura Robson and we each ended up simply filled with admiration of Murray’s competitiveness and the way the actual fact he’s even in rivalry to be on court docket 10 days after he had surgical procedure is a testomony to the participant.

I watched him observe on Saturday afternoon – our actual first glimpse of how he was faring, and he appeared a pissed off determine. It was clearly a session to check out how his physique would react to some rallies, a couple of sprints and I left that session considering it appears unlikely he’ll have the ability to play aggressive tennis towards Tomas Machac in his first spherical match on Tuesday.

This all made rather more sense once we spoke to Murray on Sunday, as he defined how though he’s feeling high quality along with his again, it’s truly the impression the operation has had on his legs which has restricted him.

He’s but to regain full feeling in his legs because the operation, though it has improved daily. Murray questioned himself whether or not it’s going to enhance sufficient for him to compete towards Machac.

The excellent news is that Murray could have till Thursday to determine whether or not he can play males’s doubles along with his brother Jamie, which might be an important day for him and their household – however would that be sufficient or the proper means for Murray to bow out of Wimbledon eternally?

I feel the query stays in my thoughts as a result of I spoke to many gamers over the weekend about Murray and his potential closing goodbye at Wimbledon. It truly is eye-opening to see all of them, not simply pay tribute to him, but in addition the hope all of them have that Murray has the second he deserves to say goodbye.

I requested seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic about his good buddy Murray, who he instructed me was a ‘legend of the sport’ however he additionally defined simply how a lot it will imply for him to make it on court docket.

Djokovic mentioned: “He positively deserves an amazing farewell from his favorite event, the event he received twice, the place he received the Olympic video games – he ought to end on his personal phrases, all of us hope he will likely be bodily match sufficient to complete on his personal phrases and need him all the very best.”

Caroline Wozniacki had an identical tribute for Murray, describing how few gamers within the historical past of tennis have completed what he has with the hope he can end on his personal accord.

Gael Monfils instructed me ‘he is the person, he is Sir Andy Murray!’ and that each one the gamers will likely be supporting Murray right here at Wimbledon to say goodbye.

It might be straightforward for lots of the gamers to speak properly about their fellow participant however for me, it’s the smiles and heat with which they discuss Murray. I requested lots of the gamers about their very own kind, Wimbledon, and so on – however usually their longest solutions have been in tribute to Murray.

So what’s the excellent goodbye?

I used to be initially questioning – does it must be in entrance of a full Centre Courtroom? Does it must be in a singles tie or will the doubles along with his brother be sufficient?

I left Wimbledon on Sunday night feeling, properly – perhaps it doesn’t matter in spite of everything.

The legacy you allow upon the 1000’s upon 1000’s of followers Murray has entertained and introduced alongside his profession at Wimbledon in addition to the admiration from his friends… maybe that’s sufficient for somebody that has cemented himself as a tennis legend.

Whether or not Murray is ready to get on court docket within the singles, doubles or under no circumstances – it feels, as I discussed earlier than, typical Andy Murray that he’ll be preventing daily, minute and second to see if he will likely be in a position to take action.

What’s arising on Sky Sports activities Tennis?

Within the run-up to the ultimate Grand Slam of 2024 – the US Open – you possibly can watch all the greatest tennis stars in motion dwell on Sky Sports activities as they compete throughout the hard-court season.

• Hamburg Open (ATP 500) 15-21 July
• Newport Corridor of Fame Open (ATP 250) 15-21 July
• Swiss Open (ATP 250) 15-21 July
• Bastad Open (ATP 250) 15-21 July
• Palermo Girls Open (WTA 250) 15-21 July
• Hungarian Grand Prix (WTA 250) 15-21 July
• Prague Open (WTA 250) 21-26 July

Watch the WTA and ATP Excursions all through 2024 on Sky Sports activities Tennis. Stream Sky Sports activities Tennis and extra with a NOW Sports activities Month Membership. No contract, cancel anytime.