Murray 'starting from scratch' in Washington

Three-time major champion Andy Murray hopes his decision to withdraw from Wimbledon will pay off during the hard-court season.

Published : Jul 30, 2018 15:17 IST

Andy Murray feels like he is "starting from scratch again" as he prepares to begin his hard-court season against Mackenzie McDonald on day one of the Citi Open.

Murray withdrew from Wimbledon on the eve of his home grand slam soon after returning following almost a year out due to injury.

The three-time major champion made his comeback from hip surgery with a defeat to Nick Kyrgios at Queen's Club last month and beat Stan Wawrinka in Eastbourne before losing to fellow Brit Kyle Edmund.

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Murray is not putting too much pressure on himself ahead of his first-round encounter with McDonald in Washington on Monday.

"It sort of feels like I am starting from scratch again," he told Tennis TV.

"I haven't been in that position since I was kind of 18 so I'm looking forward to it. It's going to be hard but it should be fun."

The 31-year-old added: "I feel better than I did during the grass [tournaments].

"I've had another four weeks training and feel pretty good."

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Murray felt Wimbledon came too soon for him and hopes his decision to pull out will pay off in the final major of the year.

"At the time I didn't feel like I was quite ready to play five-set matches," the Scot said.

"I really wanted to build up for the American summer and hopefully get ready for the US Open."

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