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HIP-HIP HOORAY

Andy Murray can make shock Wimbledon appearance after hip surgery, says Bob Bryan

The former world No1 was expected to battle through the pain for Wimbledon or have surgery and miss the summer but the doubles legend has another option

BOB BRYAN has told Andy Murray he could have hip surgery AND still play at Wimbledon.

However, the American acknowledges he would defy medical science if he makes a dramatic comeback at SW19 this summer.

 Andy Murray could have hip surgery and still make it to Wimbledon this summer
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Andy Murray could have hip surgery and still make it to Wimbledon this summerCredit: Reuters
 Bob Bryan underwent his own hip surgery last year and is back in competitive action five months later
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Bob Bryan underwent his own hip surgery last year and is back in competitive action five months laterCredit: Getty Images - Getty

The American doubles player underwent a hip-resurfacing five months ago and returned to the practice courts in December.

He has been in constant contact with Murray, 31, over the past few months and has forwarded on the details of his orthopaedic surgeon – Dr Edwin Su in New York.

Murray, who will retire this year, has long considered only having two options – battle on until Wimbledon or undergo career-ending surgery.

According to Bryan, there might be a third solution on the table.

 Murray has been struggling with chronic hip pain for the last 18 months
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Murray has been struggling with chronic hip pain for the last 18 monthsCredit: Reuters
 The former world No1 lost to Roberto Bautista Agut on Monday in a five-set thriller
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The former world No1 lost to Roberto Bautista Agut on Monday in a five-set thrillerCredit: EPA

Californian Bryan, 40, said: “I personally wouldn’t underestimate Andy Murray.

“You look at the great workers in history: Lendl, Courier, Roddick. This guy is maybe even a step up from those guys.

“I think he’s going to have the surgery. He’s probably going to just rehab it as best he can. If he sees there's a chance to come back, you know...

“I personally think Dr Su can do it. But there's no evidence that it's possible in tennis, so much wear and tear, but I think he could do it.

Andy Murray isn’t sentimental, but he deserves a Centre Court send-off and proved he can still compete

By DAVE KIDD

ANDY MURRAY has never been an overly sentimental man.

He’s never been too image-conscious or PR savvy, either.

Britain’s greatest tennis player is a what-you-see-is-what-you-get sort of bloke. He’s an unpolished diamond and all the better for his authenticity.

But surely even Murray must fancy the idea of saying farewell to competitive tennis on Wimbledon’s Centre Court this summer?

Yesterday’s epic Australian Open defeat by Roberto Bautista Agut proved that, even with a chronic hip problem, Murray is still able to do himself justice against a leading player over five sets.

The wonderful shot-making and the supreme grit we all know and love were still very much present as the Scot willed his way from two sets down to force a decider.

READ THE FULL COMMENT HERE

Emotional Andy Murray crashes out of Australian Open but says he may still play tennis again

“I’d really recommend him. He’s a tennis fan. He knows it inside and out.

“He’s the one that found me a physical therapist down in Florida.

“I’ve been on the phone with him many times, texting. Gave me all my exercises that I needed to do.

“Andy has spoken to him. I don’t know who Andy is going to choose if he goes this route, but I would recommend him, Dr Su.”

 He will no doubt be desperate to make one final appearance at the All England Club before hanging up his racquet
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He will no doubt be desperate to make one final appearance at the All England Club before hanging up his racquetCredit: Reuters
 Bob Bryan and twin brother Mike are considered the greatest doubles pair in tennis history by many
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Bob Bryan and twin brother Mike are considered the greatest doubles pair in tennis history by manyCredit: AP:Associated Press

“He’s the only guy that’s gotten professional athletes back to their profession. He’s the only guy that’s gotten them back to the highest level.

“He’s done a baseball guy, an NBA guy, and a hockey. No tennis player yet until me has come back.

“Maybe I’m not 100% yet, but I'm only five months. The doctors said this is more like seven or eight months until you feel perfect.”

Bryan had a metal hip implant during the 90-minute procedure. In his rehab, he had stem cell injections, and was on crutches and a cane for a few weeks.

Yet he has warned it would be a long road back and could be fully of setbacks, saying: “His rehab schedule is probably a lot more intense than mine. But also singles is more intense than doubles.

“Look, no one's ever come back with this surgery on the singles court. I'm showing that it can be done in doubles.”

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