Andy Murray Hoping to Return for Wimbledon as He Recovers from Hip Surgery

Andy Murray has revealed he is hoping to return to action for Wimbledon 2018, which begins on July 2.

A two-time champion in SW19, Murray has not played at all since last year's tournament and underwent a hip operation in Melbourne, Australia, in January. But he has now said he is hopeful of returning from injury for the grass-court season, per Kevin Mitchell of the Guardian:

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

"I'm hoping I will be there [in contention at Wimbledon], but Roger Federer has obviously got a phenomenal record on grass. He's won eight times at Wimbledon, so he'll definitely [be] up there as one of the favourites. But you never know; it depends a little bit on the draw."

Murray, 31, has now missed three Grand Slams in succession since his quarter-final exit to Sam Querrey at last year's Wimbledon.

As a result, the Scot has lost his spot as British No. 1 to Kyle Edmund and is currently No. 47 in the world.

Per the Times' Stuart Fraser, he is set to drop out of the top 150 come the end of the 2018 French Open:

On top form, Murray is one of the best grass-court players in the world, and he will be a contender for Wimbledon if he can return to full fitness in time.

Queen's Club will likely be a key target for Murray as a warm-up event for Wimbledon. It is a tournament he has won five times in the past, and it should have a strong field.