Andy Murray comeback at Queens: a lot of positives despite loss to Kyrgios

Andy Murray lost his match against Australia’s Nick Kyrgios at Queen’s Club, 2-6, 7-6(4), 7-5, but showed flashes of former self that will leave fans excited as we continue on the road to Wimbledon.

Andy Murray has been off the Tour for 342 days and has said he would take his time to get back to competitive tennis after nursing a debilitating hip injury. On Tuesday, he decided to test out his form in competition by entering the Queens Club tournament, where he’s had terrific success in the past, having won it five times.

With his ranking having dipped down to 156, his first round match was up against top player Nick Kyrgios, a friend as well as tough competitor. Kygrios himself was coming off an elbow injury that forced him to miss the French Open.

So how did he do?

Actually, pretty great, despite the loss to the mercurial Kyrgios, who put on an entertaining display. But Murray looked in excellent, vintage form in the first set and the score reflects the intelligent shot making and strategic play that the Scot is famous for. It certainly made the home crowd extremely enthusiastic about his long-awaited return to competitive play.

Murray’s form looked good

Murray utilized an intelligent, strategic, fearless approach combined with varied shot making to achieve his momentous three grand slam victories. Much of it was there in that first set. It was exciting. And it was good. The serves where magically there, the 31 year-old was effectively placing shots around the court, and amazingly defended against two match points later in the match.

The roar was back

What makes Murray such a captivating and popular player is his dogged spirit and his will to win. The perseverance attitude was back and so was his customary roar to will himself through the match. He ran down balls with purpose and fought back to make it a close tie break in the second set, narrowly losing a match that could have defined his first victory since losing in the Wimbledon quarters 11 months ago. The crowd absolutely lapped it up.

The fitness isn’t 100 percent there yet

But the tennis legend ran out of steam by the third set and the limp was back. It’s clear that the former world No. 1 isn’t at optimum fitness yet. The two-time Wimbledon champ simply ran out of gas after trying to power through the second set tie break. His serve that was so brilliant at the beginning of the match failed him in the end, with the Scot going out with a double fault to hand Kyrgios the victory.

Murray also looks much thinner than his bulkier frame a year ago.

But the 2012 U.S. Open champ said it wasn’t about winning, it was about testing his metal in competition again and if his beaten down body could cope with the punishing pressures of the Tour.

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Will Murray play Wimbledon?

Murray displayed great resolve in his debut back to the rigors of competitive tennis. His vintage form was a contrasting improvement to the charity match he played with Roger Federer last fall and the exhibition tournament at the beginning of the year that prompted him to undergo hip surgery. His mental strength, groundstrokes, and at times his serve were in superb form. Movement has improved, but endurance will remain the sports legend’s great challenge as he forges ahead.

“I’m really happy that I got on the match court today and played,” said Murray afterwards. “I have not been practicing loads at all… I really haven’t played a whole lot of tennis, so I’m happy I got out there and competed and performed respectably.”

His fans are eager about what’s up next for the two-time Wimbledon winner.

“I won’t rule anything out just now. I won’t rule out playing Eastbourne and not playing Wimbledon. I wouldn’t rule out not playing a tournament next week and trying to get matches in an exhibition tournament, as well, to get ready for Wimbledon.”

We’ll have to wait and see what the future holds for Andy Murray. But judging from his first match back, there’s a lot of hope.

Wimbledon starts July 2.