‘Murray faces mental challenge on comeback,’ says Djokovic

Andy Murray will face as big a challenge mentally as physically when he finally returns to action at Queen’s Club on Tuesday after an 11-month injury break.

That is the opinion of Novak Djokovic, the 12-time Grand Slam champion who has known Murray since they were children – and who has suffered his own injury problems.

Djokovic missed the second half of 2017 to recover from an elbow injury and still required minor surgery in early 2018 as he struggled to get back to his best.

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Murray, seven days older than Djokovic at 31, last played competitively at Wimbledon in July.

A hip injury forced then him out of action, and a failed comeback attempt in January then prompted the Scot to opt for surgery, leading to a further delay in his return to competition.

"It doesn't get better than this!" @DjokerNole ? #QueensTennis.

We're delighted to have you with us, Novak! pic.twitter.com/yQqKINU9VG

— Fever-Tree Championships (@QueensTennis) June 17, 2018

“I think the biggest challenge will always be mental. At least in my situation, that was the case,” Djokovic told atpworldtour.com.

“How to just get it out of your head and just understand that it’s behind you.”

Murray’s return on home soil will be the focus of much attention in London, all the more so as he faces a high-profile first-round match against Nick Kyrgios on Tuesday.

The Scot has said he has “zero expectations” in the early stages of his comeback.

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“You can have, always, the positive affirmation, the preparation mentally to say to yourself, ‘Well I’m going to go out there and enjoy the moment. I’m not going to think of what has happened and what will happen,’” added Djokovic.

“We all go through that, whether you’re an athlete or whoever you are.

“You always try to make the most out of the present moment. Especially in these kind of circumstances, I think that’s going to be the biggest challenge for him. That’s life. That’s what makes us stronger.”

Djokovic has often skipped the pre-Wimbledon grass-court events but this year has taken a wildcard into the Fever-Tree Championships.

The decision followed a surprising loss to world No.72 Marco Cecchinato in the French Open quarterfinals, after which the Serb suggested he might skip the grass season altogether.

Djokovic faces Australian qualifier John Millman in round one at Queen’s Club, with second seed Grigor Dimitrov potentially waiting in round two.