Andy Murray still targeting grass-court comeback but Wimbledon return unclear

Andy Murray insists he is still hoping to make his comeback from hip surgery during the grass-court season but it remains unclear which tournaments he plans to play.

In a promotional video released on Tuesday by one of his sponsors, the former world No 1 would say only that he was “getting closer to playing again” and that he was hoping to come back “during the grass-court season”.

Murray announced earlier this year that his first event would be next week’s Libema Open at ’s-Hertogenbosch in the Netherlands, but there is still no indication as to whether he will play there. With no official announcement confirming his participation, it is starting to look doubtful as to whether he will make the trip.

The draw for the tournament will be made on Saturday afternoon and Murray has already said he does not want a repeat of his experiences at last year’s US Open and this year’s Brisbane International. He pulled out of both events before playing a match but after the draw had been made.

Murray was first troubled by his hip problem during last year’s French Open and subsequently limped his way through Wimbledon. He has not played competitively since, having aborted comeback attempts at both the US Open and in Australia at the start of this year. It was after pulling out of the Australian Open that he opted for surgery.

“It’s been very slow,” Murray said in the video. “I’ve been out for close to a year now, which is a lot longer than I think me and any of my team expected at the beginning. But I’m getting closer to playing again. I started training a few days ago and I’m hoping to make my comeback during the grass-court season.”

As for Wimbledon, which starts on 2 July, Murray would say only: “I’m hoping I’ll be there.”

Before heading to the All England Club Murray is due to play at the Fever-Tree Championships at Queen’s Club the week after ’s-Hertogenbosch.

Murray will not be seeded at any of the tournaments, including Wimbledon. Although the All England Club apply a seeding formula which gives a greater weight to recent grass-court results, the seeds must be ranked in the world’s top 32.

The 31-year-old Scot is currently ranked No 47 in the world but is likely to drop at least 100 places next week when his French Open ranking points from last year drop off.