Jose Mourinho has lavished praise on Andy Murray for his stunning return to the tennis court just months after looking like his career had come to an end.
The former Manchester United boss is a massive fan of the two-times Wimbledon champion and was in the crowd as Murray and Feliciano Lopez sealed a spot in the Queens Club doubles final.
Back in January it looked as if former world number one Murray's career was over when he admitted after his exit at the Australian Open it might be his last toirnament.
But after undergoing surgery on his hip only 143 days ago the 32-year-old Scot has made a sensational return to the court and is playing pain free for the first time in years.
Mourinho , who lives in nearby Chelsea, has hailed Murray's determination. And he admitted he was in floods when Muzza became Wimbledon champion first-time round.
He said: “I try to come most years and this is a good moment because Andy plays.
"It’s nice for a sportsman like him to know the ones that always supported him in the big moments are still here to support him in these moments, where he is showing what a man he is.
“I watched his training session, and spoke with his fitness coach to understand the processes he has gone through after surgery. It was hard and it still is
“Of course, with his age, with his history, with everything he has won, he needs to be really special, in love with the game, to make the effort he is to be back.
“That’s fantastic, and if he can evolve to play singles again at the highest level, that would be amazing.”
The Special One added: “I shed tears when Murray won in 2013 – yes, it’s true – because I know what it means.
“For these boys the big tournaments are like the Champions League. We know what we feel when we do it. I could imagine what it meant for him.
“I could imagine being in his skin, and understand the feelings he went through. Yes, I was a little more emotional than normal.”
Murray and Lopez wrapped up a semi final 7-5 6-7 (5) 10-7 win over reigning champs Henri Kontinen and John Peers to book their final slot where they will face Joe Salisbury and Rajeev Ram.
