British tennis star Laura Robson says she is drawing motivation from Andy Murray’s fightback from the hip injury that threatened his career as she targets a comeback of her own.
Murray confirmed last week that he will return to Grand Slam singles action at the Australian Open in January, exactly a year after an emotional press conference looked to signal the end of his playing days because of a hip injury.
Robson herself had hip surgery in the summer of 2018, and though she returned in February this year, her comeback stalled, and she has not been seen in competitive action since April.
The 25-year-old is now back on court, training at the National Tennis Centre in Roehampton, and taking inspiration from Murray, who she partnered to mixed doubles silver at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
“I am just back on court recently, so I don’t want to rush it,” Robson told Standard Sport. “Hips are very tricky, and I’ve spent a lot of time rehabbing so I’m excited to get back out there.
“[Murray’s] been at the national centre as well so we’ve seen him a lot and it’s been amazing to see his progress.
“We all saw him quite soon after his surgery, to where he is now, and you can see after every match the improvement that he’s making as well where you just get more used to it.
“You have to take motivation from that because he’s worked so hard to get back out there. He’s got a totally bionic hip now, so he’s one-upped me there, but I’ve had access to the same rehab programmes and physios as he has, so fingers crossed I’m able to do the same.”
