Many will have been glad to see Andy Murray warming up with Dominic Thiem ahead of the ATP Finals after so long away from the court.
Murray, who won the season-ending event last year, has not featured in a tour-level match since that shock exit to Sam Querrey in the Wimbledon quarter-finals.
The 30-year-old has targeted the Brisbane International as the tournament he will make his comeback, just a few weeks before the Australian Open.
The aim will be to make a positive return during the first Grand Slam of next season but there are several reasons why it may be Murray’s toughest test yet.
Whilst he has been out of action, dropping to number 16 in the world rankings, a number of his main rivals have been improving at a steady level all the while.
Roger Federer was keen to put last year behind him after undergoing knee surgery. The 36-year-old showed that age was no reason for him to lose touch with the other top players in the world, winning two Grand Slams.
Although his stamina levels may have decreased the Swiss player has concentrated on other areas of his game, for example showing greater intelligence with his shot selection.
Another modern great, Rafael Nadal, has also enjoyed a rapid recovery after a wrist injury which meant his previous season was finished by October, winning a first major tournament for three years.
The Spaniard was determined to come back a better player and the thing which was instantly recognizable after that time away was how much his serve had improved.
Long known as the ‘King of Clay’, Nadal certainly gave a glowing explanation as to why he has earned that moniker at this year’s French Open, cruising to a 10th Roland Garros title without conceding a single set.
After struggling both physically and mentally for the past couple of years the 31-year-old continued to demonstrate how he had returned a stronger and more enduring version of himself, also winning the US Open.
These are just two examples of players that have been busy establishing a gap between themselves and Murray.
Dealing with the mental challenge of returning to competitive action so far down the world rankings will also be a huge test for Murray.
After so much hard work went into becoming the first British singles player to reach the top of the world rankings since they began in 1973 it will have been really difficult when injury meant that position was taken from him.
While it is usually harder staying at the top than reaching the summit in the first place it will be a test of Murray’s patience as much as his determination if he harbours ambitions to regain that coveted position.
If the 30-year-old can deal with all those challenges when he takes to the court in Melbourne there is no doubt he has the ability and the work-rate to win a major tournament in the near future.
