LONDON: Andy Murray insisted he is fit enough to start the defense of his Wimbledon title on Monday despite his recent struggles with a hip injury.
Murray sparked concerns he might have to withdraw from Wimbledon after canceling two scheduled exhibition matches this week due to his sore hip.
The world No. 1 was seen limping while practicing at Wimbledon over the weekend, but he is convinced he can make it through two weeks of the grass court Grand Slam.
“I’ll be fine to play the event and play seven matches,” Murray told reporters at Wimbledon on Sunday.
Murray, a two-time Wimbledon champion, will play the first match on Center Court on Monday against Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik.
That will be a huge lift for Murray, who admitted he had been worried the hip pain wouldn’t ease off in time for Wimbledon.
“You never know. I haven’t been in that sort of position too often, only a few days before a Slam and not felt good at all,” he said.
“Obviously this is an extremely important tournament, so you worry a little bit. It’s a little bit stressful if you can’t practice for a few days.
“You really want to be preparing, training as much as you can to get ready and make you feel better, especially when you hadn’t had any matches.
“I just tried to think positively. I tried to make the best decisions along with my team to give myself the best chance to feel good on Monday. I feel like I’ve done that.”
Facing world No. 134 Bublik should be a gentle introduction to the tournament for Murray, who is desperately short of match practice on grass after a shock Queen’s Club first-round loss against unheralded Australian Jordan Thompson.
Crucially, the Scot said his injury has started to feel better after lengthy treatment and prolonged periods of rest over the last week.
“I’ve had hip problems since I was very young. It’s not something new to me,” he said.
“It’s just been very sore the last few weeks and was giving me quite a lot of trouble, moving to certain shots and getting to certain positions.
“That was why I had to take the break to try to give it a chance to settle down, calm down a bit.
“I spent a lot of time with my physio, doing some extra exercises in my warm-up, strengthening exercises, a lot of stuff to try to loosen off that area.
“It’s felt a lot better in the last few days. Practice each day has got a little bit better.”
Murray also went into the French Open with concerns over his form and fitness, but gradually played his way back to his best en route to the semifinals.
The three-time Grand Slam winner is hoping for a similar scenario at Wimbledon.
“It’s been slightly stop-start preparations. But each day I’ve felt better, a little bit like at the French Open,” he said.
“I didn’t come in as well-prepared, but I still found a way with each match to feel a bit better, and built confidence each day. I’m hoping that’s the case here.”
Murray fit for Wimbledon title defense
Murray fit for Wimbledon title defense
PIF Saudi Ladies International: From grassroots golf to international spotlight
- Boasting a $5m prize fund that matches the men’s equivalent, the tournament is looking to accelerate local engagement in the game as well as global tourism
RIYADH: As the world’s elite golfers gather at Riyadh Golf Club for the PIF Saudi Ladies International from Feb. 11-14, the event is shifting the spotlight toward Saudi Arabia’s rapidly growing sports tourism sector and its growing commitment to sustainability.
Boasting a $5 million prize fund that matches the men’s equivalent, the PIF Saudi International, the tournament is a headline event on the PIF Global Series, designed to elevate the Kingdom’s profile as a premier destination for international travelers and local sports enthusiasts alike.
By establishing Riyadh as a premier destination on the international sporting circuit, the tournament is looking to accelerate both local engagement and global tourism, directly advancing the economic diversification and societal transformation goals of Vision 2030.
With Riyadh serving as the high-performance headquarters for the Saudi National Team, the tournament provides a unique bridge for local talent to transition from grassroots programs to the global stage, drawing inspiration from national team members who are already competing and excelling across the Middle East and North Africa region.
The tournament will host a high-profile WIMENA (Women in the Middle East and North Africa) panel, providing a platform for Saudi sporting pioneers to share their insights on the evolution of women’s sports.
Confirmed panelists include Saudi Olympic stars Kariman Abuljadayel (sprinter), Dunya Abutaleb (Taekwondo), and Lama Al Fozan (fencer and businesswoman), alongside Razan Al-Ajmi, the first female Saudi skydiver. This session, part of the “Change with Conversation” initiative, focuses on creating leadership and career pathways for women within the sports and tourism sectors as it continues to redefine the role of sport, not only as a competition, but as a platform for empowerment, innovation and global connection between female leaders and aspiring girls in the world of sports.
Golf Saudi Ambassador Alison Lee said: “We are very aware of the positive impact we make each time we return to Riyadh. Seeing families and children actively engaging with the golf experience, especially during our grassroots clinics, is incredibly rewarding. Witnessing the tournament’s direct influence on the local community is a powerful feeling, and our goal remains to inspire the next generation of young players throughout the region.”
At the heart of the event is the Sustained Futures initiative, which will welcome up to 450 young adults to the tournament and engage them in exclusive workshops designed to increase participation across women and young adults. With star ambassadors like World No. 5 Charley Hull and Major champion Patty Tavatanakit taking to the fairways, the tournament inspires the next generation of regional athletes to see that with discipline and the right support, there are no limits.
Under its slogan, “Made for the Future,” the tournament catalyzes long-term development in Saudi Arabia. This slogan reflects Golf Saudi’s commitment to creating an enduring legacy that extends beyond the final putt, focusing on environmental sustainability, professional equity, and the empowerment of local talent to build the industry ecosystems of tomorrow.
The tournament further invites attendees to be more than just spectators through the Go Golf program. This interactive experience features clinics and driving range sessions led by world-class Golf Saudi ambassadors, designed to dismantle barriers to the sport and encourage healthy, active lifestyles for all residents and visitors.
