(FILES) This file photo taken on May 13, 2021 shows Britain’s Andy Murray serving during his Men’s double match with Britain’s Liam Broady against Germany’s Kevin Krawitz and Romania’s Horia Tecau of the Men’s Italian Open at Foro Italico in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Filippo MONTEFORTE / AFP)
LONDON — Two-time champion Andy Murray won his first Wimbledon singles match since 2017 on Monday with a four-set triumph over Nikoloz Basilashvili of Georgia.
Murray, the champion in 2013 and 2016 but who has fought a long battle with hip and groin injuries in recent years, triumphed 6-4, 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 over the 24th seeded Basilashvili.
“It has been extremely tough, even in the last few months,” said 34-year-old Murray.
“It was not the most serious of injuries but it was frustrating not to be able to get on the court.
“I have had so little momentum over the last few years but kept on going to the gym and trying to get back to do it again.”
Now ranked a lowly 118 in the world, former number one Murray will face either Oscar Otte of Germany or France’s Arthur Rinderknech for a place in the last 32.
His last appearance in the singles tournament at Wimbledon four years ago ended in a five-set loss to Sam Querrey in the quarter-finals.
A long-standing hip problem, which required surgery, then pushed him tearfully to the brink of retirement.
But three-time major winner and back-to-back Olympic gold medallist Murray said he intends to keep playing.
“I keep on being asked will it be my last match or my last Wimbledon,” he said.
“I don’t know why I keep on being asked. I want to keep on playing. I enjoy it and I can still play at the highest level.
“Basilashvili is ranked 28 in the world and I beat him.”
It was a roller-coaster evening for Murray who let slip a 5-0 lead in the third set.
That led to a delay in proceedings to allow for the Center Court roof to close.
But Murray broke in the first game of the fourth set to send him on his way to victory.
“It’s amazing to be back out here playing again on Center Court,” he added.
“It’s such a brilliant atmosphere, it’s something that since I came back to play in the last eight or nine months I’ve missed, is playing in front of the fans.”