Andy Murray has recently revealed the extent of his injury suffered late last week.
The Scotsman, who battled bravely against Tomas Machac in the Miami Open Round of 32, pulled up having just won the point to make it 5-5 in the final set.
Many within the stadium held their breath as he hopped towards the net, grimacing and hiding his face. He crumpled at the foot of the chair umpire and received medical attention immediately.
And whilst he would continue to play a further two games and a tiebreak, subsequently losing, this superhuman feat was elevated once we found out just how severe that issue had been.
Physiotherapist reveals the extent of Andy Murray’s injury
Speaking to Sky Sports Tennis just yesterday, physiotherapist Mark Leather has since given his expert opinion on just how long we can expect Murray to be ruled out for.
Having confirmed on his Instagram that he had suffered a rupture of his Anterior Talo-Fibular Ligament, there are many different options that can be exercised regarding the fixing and subsequent rehabilitation of such a setback.
The physio noted: ‘The decision will be made to either as I said potentially treat it with non-surgery but that’s unlikely I think. If it is surgery the success rates are really very high and I would imagine somebody of his previous strength and mental strength would be back somewhere between three and four months.
‘It’s not a difficult procedure on a level playing field.’
Support has naturally since poured in for the three-time Grand Slam champion.
Andy Murray will be eyeing a Wimbledon comeback
Having always attested that he would likely not continue playing past the summer, this injury has come at the worst possible time, severely hampering what he suggests will be his last year on tour.
His desire to wait until after summer is unsurprisingly tied to the two key tournaments that he would like to play in: The Olympics and Wimbledon.
With titles in both across his illustrious career, the 36-year-old will likely know that silverware is unlikely for him.
However, what he would relish is the adulation he is almost certain to receive, particularly within the latter competition, where he ended a 77-year wait for a British player to win the title.
He is a legend there, and across the wider tennis world too.
Just watching the reception he has received in recent months, from Dubai to Miami, emphasises this.
So, to get back to the hallowed centre court for one final time will be his ultimate goal, and a driving force towards his gruelling rehabilitation.
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