Washington Open: Andy Murray 'starting from scratch again' in latest return to action

The Scot, who faces Mackenzie McDonald in the opening round of the Washington Open, said he hasn't been 'in this position since I was kind of 18'

Andy Murray in action at Eastbourne last month (Getty)

Former world No 1 Andy Murray has admitted he’ll be “starting from scratch again” when he takes on Mackenzie McDonald in the opening round of the Washington Open.

This will be Murray’s third tournament after undergoing surgery in January to address a long-standing hip injury that cut short his 2017 season.

Having originally been due to compete at Wimbledon earlier this month, Murray pulled out of the competition at the eleventh hour because it was “too soon” in his comeback to play five-set tennis.

Now, ahead of his latest return to action, Murray said he feels like he’s starting from scratch again as he prepares to take on America’s McDonald.

“I haven’t been in this position since I was kind of 18,” said Murray.

“It sort of feels like I am starting from scratch again. It’s going to be hard but it should be fun.

“I feel better than I did during the grass [tournaments]. I’ve had another four weeks training and feel pretty good.”

Since his operation, Murray has only played three ATP Tour matches. Those came against Nick Kyrgios at Queen’s, which he lost, followed by an opening round win at Eastbourne over Stan Wawinka before coming up short against fellow Briton Kyle Edmund.

Murray, now ranked 832nd in the world, was last week awarded a wildcard for the Cincinnati Open next month as he tries to build up his match fitness before the US Open, which begins on 27 August.

Addressing his decision to pull out of Wimbledon, Murray said: “At the time I didn’t feel like I was quite ready to play five-set matches.

“I really wanted to build up for the American summer and hopefully get ready for the US Open.”

Andy Murray withdrew Wimbledon on the eve of the 2018 tournament (PA)

His only title at Flushing Meadows came in 2012, when he beat Novak Djokovic in the final.

Murray said he wanted to enjoy being back on the tour, but the serious part – winning matches – was still extremely important to him.

“If I am out here losing first round every single week, I am not going to enjoy that as much,” he said.

Winning would not only would give him confidence but have the added benefit of sending him hurtling up the world rankings in a way that is not usually possible for top players.

“It’s not where I want to be ranking wise but the good thing is that when you are right up at the top of the game, it’s not easy just to move up one spot,” Murray said.

“Right now, if I win a couple of matches I could move up 300, 400 spots in a week, which is nice.”

Seeing fellow competitors like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal playing well into their 30s was motivating, he said.

“That gives me a bit more confidence, if I can get myself into good shape again, that my level will be good enough to allow me to compete for the big competitions again.

“But it is going to take some time."

Additional reporting by agencies