by Andy Schooler
There’s no getting away from it; the absence of Andy Murray certainly cast something of a shadow over this year’s ATP Finals.
The event certainly had intriguing storylines, uppermost being Grigor Dimitrov's surprise run to the title, but like a football tournament in which the hosts go out early, there is something a little deflating about an event such as this having a lack of home representation.
It didn’t help that there were reminders of Murray almost everywhere you looked.
At the side of the court were his ex-coaches Dani Vallverdu and Jonas Bjorkman (now with Dimitrov and Marin Cilic respectively), plus his one-time fitness trainer Jez Green.
Up in the commentary boxes were more former members of Team Murray, Mark Petchey with his always-excellent Sky Pad analysis, and Miles Maclagan.
Murray did actually put in an appearance at The O2 himself, practising on the main court on the eve of the tournament. The arena was near deserted but to those in attendance it gave them a taste of just what the fans would be missing out on.
That session was another step on the road to recovery from a long-standing hip problem, one the Scot opted to recover from by resting rather than going under the surgeon’s knife.
The early steps have been tentative – Murray did not appear to be moving unhindered during a recent exhibition match in Glasgow – and he has been warned that it may be some time until he rediscovers the form which took him to the world number one ranking exactly a year ago.
Roger Federer, who did manage to return from a similar spell out in spectacular, winning fashion at the start of this year, said: “Coming back is always a challenge for the body. It's a challenge for the team because you got to be extremely patient yet positive.
“You always got to expect a slow process. Then if it goes fast, that's great.
“I didn't choose to take the time off last year. You make me look like a genius sometimes. You take time off, you come back, you're good again. That's not how it goes.”
Murray is not the only big name aiming to return at the start of 2018 – he is currently scheduled to open his campaign in Brisbane in January.
Like Murray, both Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka have not played since Wimbledon, while Milos Raonic and Kei Nishikori are other stars who hardly played in the second half of the season.
Federer added: “Obviously from the likes who have been extremely high up in the rankings, who have won slams, like Stan, Andy and Novak, of course I expect greatness from them - when they return at some stage, not maybe from the very beginning.
“But I wouldn't be surprised if it worked out for them as well like it worked out for me.”
Murray’s former Davis Cup team-mate Greg Rusedski is another who suggests patience could be key to the three-time Grand Slam champion's comeback.
“If you look at Kevin Anderson, who got the US Open final this year, it took him six months to get back, making sure he had the right treatments and doing the right things," he said.
“With Andy’s pedigree, if he’s healthy he’s back in the mix. If he tries to come back too soon and reinjures himself it would be very disappointing for him.
“I hope he’s back in Brisbane. My only worry would be just be cautious with it. I’m sure he’s going to be smart enough with it.”
With Murray now 30, recovery is not so easy as it was a decade ago.
Speaking at an event to promote Nature Valley and the Battle Of The Sexes film which comes out in the UK this week, Rusedski drew on his own playing experience, particularly towards the end of his career, to urge such caution.
“It gets tougher and you have to be smart,” said the former world number four. “I made mistakes when I played through injuries at times and tried to come back too quickly rather than taking the long view.
“I think Andy has the luxury of the long view because of his accomplishments.
“You obviously have to have a goal to look forward to but don’t start before you are ready.”
Murray will end the season having slipped to 16th in the rankings during his absence from the tour, a position which means he could yet be seeded outside the top 16 for January’s Australian Open, if indeed he does play.
However, Rusedski does not see that as an issue.
“Class always gets back to the top. It doesn’t matter if he comes back at 100. Look at Serena (Williams) winning the Australian Open (when ranked 81st in 2007) and getting back to world number one. For me it’s not where the ranking is.
“Look at Federer last year; he was 17th seed at the Australian Open and he went on to win it. You either have class or you don’t and the best player always win the tournament.”
Another issue Murray will certainly face whenever he chooses to play again, will be a tigerish response from those players who have taken advantage of the absence of the star names.
ATP Finals finalists Dimitrov and David Goffin are among those, the former ending the season as world number three – a position he will want to keep hold of.
With potentially so many names battling for positions in the top 10, the start of 2018 promises much – as Federer was quick to point out.
“You mix them (the returning players) together with the new guys from the World Tour Finals here who have just come off a great year, obviously are confident, want to stay in the top 10, want to make the World Tour Finals again.
“They (those currently injured) are sort of weaving their way in – ‘not so fast, guys, we also want to make it’.
“You (also) have the young guys coming through.
“I think it could be a very cool start to the year, which I'm really looking forward to.”
Many fans – particularly Murray supporters – will be feeling the same way, even if they are perhaps a little anxious.