Tennis news - Andy Murray expects US Open to come too soon for singles return

The Scot is due to make his competitive return from hip surgery in doubles at next week's Queen's Club grasscourt tournament, partnering Spaniard Feliciano Lopez. The US Open starts on August 26.

"I hope at some stage this year I would be able to get back to playing singles again," the three-times Grand Slam champion told British media, describing his current situation as "baby steps".

"If I can, that would be brilliant, but I don't think that's going to be the case. I think it's going to take a bit longer," he added.

Murray, 32, has not played since losing in the first round of the Australian Open in January, after which he had a resurfacing operation on his right hip.

He said he was "pretty much pain free" now and enjoying training, including some singles practice sessions.

"I don't think when Wimbledon finishes that I will just step onto the singles court the following week and everything's good," he said. "I still have quite a lot of work to do before I'm at a level where I feel like I'll be able to be competitive."