Former Wimbledon champion believes top 20 ‘maybe possible’ for Andy Murray
Richard Krajicek thinks Andy Murray could “surprise us” by staging a sensational return to the ATP top 20 if he can improve his consistency and recovery between matches.
Three-time Grand Slam victor Murray underwent a second hip surgery in 2019 and has been staging a rise up the ATP rankings ever since.
After a difficult few years, the British icon has now broken into the top 100 for the first time since June 2018, three and a half years.
The former World number one has began the new year well, rising a total of 51 rankings positions to 84th in the world.
This comes after reaching the final of the Sydney International, his first final appearance since his 2019 European Open win, as well as impressive first round wins at the Australian Open, the Rotterdam Open, the Qatar Open and the Dubai Tennis Championships.
However, after overcoming the first hurdle Murray has fallen at the second in each of those events, never venturing beyond the second round.
The Brit’s recovery between matches has possibly been a cause for concern, but former World number four Krajicek believes Murray can return to the top 20 if he can improve this aspect of his fitness.
Speaking to Tennis365, Rotterdam Open director Krajicek said “he is playing fantastic and working really hard.
“I don’t know how good he is moving compared to how he used to move, but he looks to be in great shape.
“Now this year he has got to the finals of [the] Sydney [International] and ask what he can achieve.
“Can he get back into the top 50, can he maybe go into the top 20? I think maybe it is possible,” the Dutchman claimed.
“But I don’t know how it is for him after he makes a good result for his body to come back and have a recovery
“If he is rested well, he can beat most guys still. But if he wants to go to the top 20, he has to do that for 10 or 12 weeks of the year and I don’t know if his body can do that, but I take my hat off to him.
“I think he is a great person and a great competitor on the court. What he has achieved in the toughest era in tennis is amazing,” he expressed.
“He still finds the desire and he likes the challenge. The challenge before was winning Slams, he won three of them. He won two Olympic golds, number one in the world.
“Now his challenge is with this metal hip. What is the best he can be with a metal hip? I think he is going to surprise us.”
Murray will next feature at the Indian Wells Masters.
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