Rafael Nadal admits Andy Murray has sought his advice over how to recover from the hip injury that forced him to undergo surgery at the start of the year.

Few players will relate to that struggle as well as the Spaniard, whose own career has been plagued by fitness battles.

Yet, things are going considerably better for the 31-year-old now after he clinched a place in the semi-finals of the Monte Carlo Masters.

Murray, of course, has played no part as he continues his rehabilitation, which according to reports, has been going slower than anticipated.

While that must be incredibly frustrating for the British number one, he has at least been speaking to the best in the business at overcoming adversity.

Two-time Wimbledon winner Nadal has revealed he has been giving Murray some tips on making a comeback as soon as he is fighting fit.

“Sometimes I have talked with Andy about what’s going on or the treatment that I did,” he said, per the Times.

“He asked me about things. I told him the things that I think worked for me. Then he has his group and he will decide.

“I have been in that situation. I know how tough and frustrating it is when you work every day and you don’t see the light of how to improve. You don’t see any improvements.

"But then one day trying things, trying treatments, one day, things are going better. That’s what I really hope about him because he is very important for our tour."

Murray's fitness is paramount 

Plenty of tennis fans have expressed concern over whether we'll ever see Murray playing to his true potential again.

Further disappointment is likely to follow in the near future, as he is set to be ruled out of the Glasgow ATP Challenger.

However, Nadal insists his rival's health is the most important thing.

“The main thing is to be healthy,” he added.

“Comebacks are not easy. [If it] takes a little bit longer or not, but the health is the main thing.

“If Andy is healthy, he will come back. After a long period of time, maybe he will not be back and winning in the first week, but he will not forget how to play tennis. He knows that, and everybody knows that. If he is healthy, he will be back on a position to fight for the most important things.

“Without health, you can play but it is almost impossible to play at the level that Andy wants to play or I want to play, fighting for the things.”

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