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Andy Murray: Why his return at Queen's matters

andy-murray-practices-ahead-of-championships-at-queensImage source, Getty Images

Andy Murray is stepping back on the court, five months after it seemed like he was going to have to stop playing forever.

The two-time Wimbledon champion announced at the 2019 Australian Open that it may have to be his last tournament, because of the pain an injury was giving him.

He was even shown a farewell video featuring fellow professionals including Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic after his 5-set defeat to Roberto Bautista Agut.

But the video was perhaps a little bit early - the British tennis legend was not ready to give up yet!

After hip surgery the former world number one says he is now pain free and ready to return to competitive tennis.

Why is Andy Murray playing doubles?

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Andy Murray is partnering Feliciano Lopez at Queen's

Murray is making his competitive return alongside Spain's Feliciano Lopez in the doubles competition at Queen's Club, and next week he will partner former world number one doubles player Marcelo Melo at the Eastbourne International.

Murray had a a special hip operation where the ball of his hip joint was covered with a metal cap.

Most people who have the operation recover quickly and live pain-free lives, but playing professional tennis is a whole different ball game!

Murray did not think he was ready to return to the singles court, but playing doubles has less impact on the body because you have to move around less and the matches are often shorter.

Will Andy Murray play at Wimbledon?

That's the big question!

Image source, Alex Pantling
Image caption,

Andy having fun training at Queen's Club on June 19, 2019 in London

The tournaments at Queen's and Eastbourne are a bit of a warm up for Wimbledon as they are also played on grass.

They also give a good indication of which players are in good form ahead of one of the biggest events in the tennis calendar.

Fans are hoping Andy Murray makes it to SW19, (which is a nickname for Wimbledon, as it is the club's postcode), but Murray has said he would only play if he is fit enough.

At the moment it does not look likely he will play singles.

But if all goes well in the next few weeks, he could be back on court at Wimbledon playing doubles.

Will he play with his brother, Jamie?

Image source, Steve Welsh
Image caption,

Andy Murray and Jamie Murray during a doubles match at The Hydro on November 7, 2017 in Glasgow, Scotland.

Loads of fans would be love to see Andy and his brother Jamie - who is a six-time Grand Slam doubles champion - playing on the same court.

Well, there's no news yet, but in the past Andy has said that they have spoken about it.

However, he also said that he wants to be able to drop out if he has physical problems - and he would never want to leave his brother without a partner.