Tim Henman: Beating Novak Djokovic for ATP Finals was special for Andy Murray

Former British No. 1 Tim Henman claims three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray isn't ready to give up on his career as he is determined to make one last strong push. 

Murray, who has struggled with a hip injury for over the past three years, has spent much of the time sidelined and rehabbing his hip in these past three years. 

The former world No. 1 ended his season on a three-match losing streak.

"He has had an incredibly difficult last three years, trying to fight his way back from his hip injury," Henman said, per Independent.

"There are signs that he is making improvements and then he has another little setback. He will be desperately keen to get back to playing but he has just got to build up his strength and stamina and hopefully competing on a consistent basis.

"The tennis level is there, it is just whether his body can maintain. We saw him beat (Alexander) Zverev, who went on to get to the US Open final so Andy is still capable of playing great tennis, but that is not his challenge.

"It is the challenge of being able to put in the work on the practice court and being able to play these tough matches and recover to be ready.

"I was speaking to his coach Jamie Delgado and he mentioned his discipline and hunger and desire is amazing because these elements of the rehab are not the enjoyable bits.

"The enjoyable bits are being out on court and playing tennis and competing in the biggest tournaments. He still wants to keep working and hopefully things will be a bit smoother in 2021."

Henman calls Murray's Nitto ATP Finals win 'special'

Murray enjoyed an outstanding 2016 season but unfortunately it took a big toll on his body and he hasn't been winning big titles ever since. 

In 2016, Murray won his maiden Nitto ATP Finals title after beating world No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the final and also climbed up to No. 1 in the world for the first time in his career.

Disappointingly, Murray hasn't played at The O2 Arena since 2016 and he won't have a chance to play there anymore since the Nitto ATP Finals are set to be staged in Turin from 2021 onward.

"It is the end of an era of the ATP Finals at the O2," Henman said. "(Roger) Federer has won a couple of times, Djokovic has won four in a row, there has been some amazing ends to the year.

"For me Murray winning in 2016, he had been on such a hot streak, for it to go down to the final match of the year, playing against one of his biggest rivals in Djokovic, the final match to decide not only the champion but also the end of year number one.

"For Andy to win that in front of his home crowd was special."

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2UpoyVY