Andy Murray’s doubles partner, Pierre-Hugues Herbert, has revealed that he was struggling with a thigh injury going into his Wimbledon defeat against Kevin Anderson.
The Frenchman, who had strapping on his leg, lost in straight sets 6-3 6-4 6-2 on Monday afternoon, blown away by the big-serving Anderson – who was beaten by Novak Djokovic in the final last year.
Herbert required a late fitness test going into the match, having hurt his quad, and admits he is feeling a little tired, though is optimistic he will be okay to partner Murray in the doubles.
Asked if he is carrying an injury, Herbert explained: ‘I’m a little bit tired. Yesterday I had a tough time in my practice, to stop, because I was scared for one of my quads.
‘So I was a little bit scared. But when I did the medical tests, everything was fine. Not the best way to start, but it’s only a start, I hope.’
Asked if he will be fit to partner Murray, he continued: ‘I hope so, because if not, it’s gonna be tough. Yes, I hope so. I was scared yesterday because it was a pain that I didn’t know really. So I was really negative.
‘Yeah, I played today, so it’s really positive point. I hope it’s gonna be all good from that side in the next couple of days.’
Herbert had his leg strapped but insists he was not feeling any pain in the match, he was simply out-played by Anderson on the day.
He added: ‘Really it was all right. He was just better today. He played the better match. It was all right.
‘For sure when I entered the court, having stopped the practice yesterday after half an hour, I was, yeah, a little bit scared, I would say, but as the match went, I played, so from that point it’s positive.’
