When will Andy Murray return to form and make a major final?

[masterclass]

Mr. Murray is returning to the tour when? Brisbane early January?
If he does return then, it will be about 3.5 months out of action including a surgery.
One doesn't know how careful he will have to be in returning (how much practice and match play he can handle).

I expect and hope Mr. Murray will be a factor in finals of majors again by the US Open in 2014.
Wimbledon may be pushing it.

Of course Andy could have a near miraculous comeback like Nadal this year and start winning everything in sight almost right away. But that's "not normal".

Normal is that it takes close to double the time of one's absence to return to best form, if one is capable of doing so. Many athletes tend to put extra strain on other body parts to avoid straining the original injury and it slows down their progress.

Let's see what happens with Andy and hope for the best.

Respectfully,
masterclass

 

[Riotbeard]

I say wimby. IMO him making the final at RG would be a much bigger miracle than him doing so at the AO. Even healthy, I think Andy has to have a lucky draw and things go his way with early losses for him to ever make the finals at Roland Garros.

 

[Kieran]

I think if he turns up in Oz, he might have a good run, draw permitting. he's already said he won't play there unless he feels he has a chance, so his presence there will signal a fit and ready Muzza...

 

[tented]

The AO is too soon. In fact, I'm betting he won't play there at all since it's best-of-5. If he does, he'll probably go out early. RG is unrealistic. Even in good years he hasn't made the final.

Wimbledon is a possibility. Assuming he's back in January, he will have had enough time to become match fit by late June/early July. It's a surface on which he excels, and he'll be highly motivated to defend.

 

[Moxie]

The AO is too soon. In fact, I'm betting he won't play there at all since it's best-of-5. If he does, he'll probably go out early. RG is unrealistic. Even in good years he hasn't made the final.

Wimbledon is a possibility. Assuming he's back in January, he will have had enough time to become match fit by late June/early July. It's a surface on which he excels, and he'll be highly motivated to defend.

Interesting notion that he may skip Oz. I guess the tune-ups before will be critical for him and his team to see how he's feeling. #1 priority has to be to protect the back/long-term health, and #2 should be protect his Wimbledon defense, and probably a look toward a strong 2nd-half of 2014.

 

[Iona16]

This poll is a tad depressing. The Australian Open is probably too soon. I'd have to say Wimbledon. If he is fit and well I don't see why he can't reach the Wimbledon final.

 

[Moxie]

This poll is a tad depressing. The Australian Open is probably too soon. I'd have to say Wimbledon. If he is fit and well I don't see why he can't reach the Wimbledon final.

Well, the editorializing within the poll by masterclass was perhaps unnecessary, but everyone is understandably curious as to how he'll come back, and when he'll be at full-force. Even you didn't predict the AO. As I suggested above, I'd be surprised if his team doesn't plan to protect the defense of Wimbledon. And I think that planning to regain the USO title is a good goal, too. He could storm back like Rafa, but anyone would be forgiven for thinking that the first few months back might be taken a little gingerly, or mindful of peaking on the grass.

 

[tented]

The AO is too soon. In fact, I'm betting he won't play there at all since it's best-of-5. If he does, he'll probably go out early. RG is unrealistic. Even in good years he hasn't made the final.

Wimbledon is a possibility. Assuming he's back in January, he will have had enough time to become match fit by late June/early July. It's a surface on which he excels, and he'll be highly motivated to defend.

Interesting notion that he may skip Oz. I guess the tune-ups before will be critical for him and his team to see how he's feeling. #1 priority has to be to protect the back/long-term health, and #2 should be protect his Wimbledon defense, and probably a look toward a strong 2nd-half of 2014.

Exactly -- Brisbane will be a testing ground. If he does well, he may go on to the AO. If he decides in Brisbane he's not ready for a two-week best-of-5 GS, he'll skip it, and wait until Indian Wells.

 

[tented]

This poll is a tad depressing. The Australian Open is probably too soon. I'd have to say Wimbledon. If he is fit and well I don't see why he can't reach the Wimbledon final.

I'm happy we have more threads which aren't about Rafa and/or Novak, and Murray is certainly deserving of more attention. I can understand how this could be a bit upsetting, but my positive take is that he's still relevant and important enough to merit a poll predicting GS finals. Too much rationalizing?

Personally, I'm anxious for his return. There's a black hole when one of the Top 4 isn't around. It's simply not as interesting. I missed Murray during the WTF.

 

[Iona16]

This poll is a tad depressing. The Australian Open is probably too soon. I'd have to say Wimbledon. If he is fit and well I don't see why he can't reach the Wimbledon final.

I'm happy we have more threads which aren't about Rafa and/or Novak, and Murray is certainly deserving of more attention. I can understand how this could be a bit upsetting, but my positive take is that he's still relevant and important enough to merit a poll predicting GS finals. Too much rationalizing?

Personally, I'm anxious for his return. There's a black hole when one of the Top 4 isn't around. It's simply not as interesting. I missed Murray during the WTF.

Ignore me. I just meant the poll was a little depressing for me as a fan. It is nice to see threads about other players. I would rule out the last 2 options of the poll - the last one especially.

Andy is scheduled to play the following:

28 Nov - 1 Dec: Barbados (Exho), Tennis Dream Cup
26 Dec - 28 Dec: Abu Dhabi (Exho), Mubadala Tennis. Andy plays Tsonga on Boxing Day
30 Dec - 5 Jan: Doha (ATP250). He's on the commitment list (instead of Brisbane this year)
13 Jan - Australian Open (Fingers crossed)

I'm also anxious for his return Tented. I've missed my boy.

 

[tented]

Andy is scheduled to play the following:

28 Nov - 1 Dec: Barbados (Exho), Tennis Dream Cup
26 Dec - 28 Dec: Abu Dhabi (Exho), Mubadala Tennis. Andy plays Tsonga on Boxing Day
30 Dec - 5 Jan: Doha (ATP250). He's on the commitment list (instead of Brisbane this year)
13 Jan - Australian Open (Fingers crossed)

I'm also anxious for his return Tented. I've missed my boy.

Abu Dhabi is a very good idea. Not as much pressure as a "real" match, but more of a challenge than just practicing. Following that up with Doha is also smart. Between the two, he should be able to gauge whether or not his back is ready to go through a GS.