January could mark the return of Andy Murray to competitive tennis, as long as the Scot feels 100 per cent fit.
Murray - who currently ranks 16th in the world - actually took to the court to face world number two Roger Federer as part of a charity event in Glasgow earlier this week.
The fact that Murray lost to the Swiss 6-3 3-6 10-6 is almost irrelevant; this was the first time Murray had hit a ball in public since he limped out of Wimbledon with a hip injury after losing to Sam Querrey back in July.
After breaking the ice with a relatively amiable encounter with Federer, which saw the Swiss hold serve in a kilt at one point, Murray has now set his sights on being fully fit for Wimbledon 2018 and “hopes” to ease back into competitive tennis at the Brisbane International, which gets under way on January 15th.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Murray said: "I am in a significantly better place than at the end of Wimbledon and in the build-up to the US Open. Walking was a big problem for me [at that time].”
Andy is under no illusions that his recovery could be an overnight process, adding: “When I get back on the court again, my best form might not come immediately, but there's nothing that's making me think I can't find it.
“I'll come back when I'm ready and 100 per cent fit. I believe I will get back to that.”
The Scot will continue his road to recovery by travelling to Miami before the end of the year for his regular off-season training.
Presuming Murray’s rehabilitation hits no bumpy patches, tennis fans will be able to see Andy try to reclaim the Wimbledon men’s singles championship in 2018.
Outside of tennis, 2017 has been eventful for Murray. He became a Sir in the New Year’s Honours list and this week announced that he has become a father for the second time after wife Kim gave birth in England “a couple of weeks ago”.
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