Wimbledon 2019: Andy Murray plays down chances of winning doubles title after successful return

The former world No 1 enjoyed his return to competitive action alongside Feliciano Lopez

Andy Murray admits he is unlikely to win a doubles title at Wimbledon next month – but he would not rule it out entirely.

Former world number one Murray made a winning return to competitive action at Queen’s Club on Thursday, partnering Feliciano Lopez to victory over top seeds Juan Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah in the first round of the Fever-Tree Championships.

That guaranteed at least one more match with Lopez, while Murray will team up with Marcelo Melo at Eastbourne next week.

As for Wimbledon, the two-time singles champion will partner France’s Pierre-Hugues Herbert on his return to the scene of his greatest triumphs.

But could he actually win it?

“Yeah, I think it’s possible,” he said. “But, I mean, it doesn’t matter either way. I would like to, but I don’t mind if I don’t.

“I’d say it would be unlikely because, you know, I have not played many matches.

“And doubles on grass, it’s not like you sort of kind of ease yourself into matches a little bit and there is time. The points are over pretty quickly. You need to be sharp.

“It really would depend how quickly I can get my reflexes and things like that back. They have been OK in practice, but obviously matches are a different story.”

Andy Murray at the Fever-Tree Championships (Getty)

Murray has taken a relaxed view to his return to tennis, largely because he was on the verge of retirement until undergoing a hip resurfacing operation in January.

It was a make-or-break decision, but it seems to have paid off if Murray’s performance against Cabal and Farah is anything to go by.

“I think when you spend time away, you know there is a chance you might not get back to playing again,” he added.

“There is lots of things you think about, stuff that you might have done differently during your career, you look back and regret certain things and wish you had done stuff differently.

“Now that I get the chance to play again, it’s just you remember the things that are actually important or the reasons for why you actually start doing something or why you play a certain sport, do a certain job.

Andy Murray made a winning return with Feliciano Lopez at Queens (Getty) (Getty Images)

“It’s because it’s something you care about and you actually enjoy doing. And it’s not doing it just to win tennis matches.

“Everybody wants to do well in their job, but ultimately all you can do is give your best.

“My best now might not be the same as what it was when I was 25 in terms of what that looks like on a tennis court. Who knows?

“Maybe it will be in a few months, but right now it certainly isn’t. So I can’t be expecting to put in that sort of kind of performance.”