• ATP Tour

Murray will only play Australian Open if 100% fit

Andy Murray has revealed he will only participate at the Australian Open if he is fully fit after undergoing surgery on his back.

The reigning Wimbledon champion had an operation in September on the problem which ruled him out of the French Open, and after being forced to withdraw from the ATP World Tour Finals is currently going through his rehabilitation.

The British No. 1 is due to take part in an exhibition event in Barbados next month, and speaking at the launch of his new racquet he said he will only take part in Melbourne if he has fully recovered from the operation.

"I would be disappointed to miss the Australian Open because it's a grand slam," he said. "It is a tournament all the players want to play at," Murray said.

"But when you start setting targets - especially when you are coming back from having surgery on your back - it's a serious thing to have done - you don't come back just to play a match at the Australian Open.

"If I come back, I want to be in shape to win it. I can look at this in a lot of positive ways and if I do get myself ready for it I will have had a long lead-up and training block, really, to get myself in the best possible shape.

"Whether I make it or not depends on how things go once I get back on the tennis court. I haven't been on the tennis court yet, so I'm not sure."

Murray is set to reappear on a tennis court for the first time since the operation next week, and the Scot said: "Rehab has been going well. I haven't hit any balls yet but all is on track.

"I'm hoping to hit a couple of balls next week but very few and very light just to see how it is and I will start to progress from there. I have still got quite a way to go until I am 100%."

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