Andy Murray says refusing to “really feel sorry” for himself helped guarantee he can be match sufficient to compete on the French Open for what is anticipated to be the ultimate time.
The 37-year-old Briton, who plans to retire later this year, ruptured ankle ligaments on the Miami Open in March.
Murray prevented surgical procedure and returned to competitive action a fortnight in the past.
He’ll play at Roland Garros for under the second time since 2017.
“Initially I used to be anticipating to overlook the French and never play any clay in any respect,” stated the previous world primary.
“So to be right here and feeling fairly wholesome, and the ankle being good, is a big bonus.”
With Murray indicating earlier this 12 months he plans to “not play a lot past the summer time”, many questioned whether or not the character of his ankle harm would deny him the prospect to say farewell to the French Open.
It additionally forged doubt on how match he can be to play in potential swansongs at Wimbledon, in July, and the Paris Olympics – which begin later that month on the Roland Garros clay.
Murray says he initially feared he can be out for “10-12 weeks” however returned simply over seven weeks later when he performed at an ATP Challenger occasion in Bordeaux.
“I used to be stunned how I used to be throughout the rehab – I felt actually actually motivated,” stated Murray, who begins in opposition to fellow three-time main champion Stan Wawrinka when the French Open begins on Sunday.
“I labored extraordinarily arduous each single day with my staff and physio, there have been no breaks or holidays to really feel sorry for myself. I simply did the work.”
The Scot stated he was “proud” of how he approached the setback, when “it might have been straightforward” to be much less proactive.
“That’s one of many explanation why I used to be in a position to come again a bit prior to I anticipated,” he added.
Murray will play 39-year-old Swiss Wawrinka for the third time in a row at Roland Garros, having misplaced within the 2017 semi-finals – a match which exacerbated the hip harm which led to career-saving surgical procedure in 2019 – and within the 2020 first spherical.