Britain's Andy Murray returns the ball to Italy's Fabio Fognini (not in photograph) during their match at the Italian Open tennis tournament, in Rome, on May 10, 2023. (PHOTO / AP)

Andy Murray is in the best shape since his hip surgery as the former world number one prepares for a run at Wimbledon, he said after cruising into the quarter-finals of the Rothesay Nottingham Open.

The 36-year-old three-time Grand Slam champion, who has resurrected his career after hip resurfacing surgery, opted to skip tournaments during the claycourt season in the past to focus on the grasscourt swing.

The Scot won the second-tier Aix-en-Provence Challenger Tour crown last month but suffered early exits in Monte Carlo, Madrid, Rome and Bordeaux before pulling out of the French Open.

"In terms of physically how I have been, the last six to nine months have been really good and that has been the best I have felt since my surgery, that is really positive," Murray said he said after beating Hugo Grenier 6-3 7-5.

"I am getting lots of matches in. I always feel really comfortable on the grass courts, so the next few weeks will be a good test for me."

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In terms of physically how I have been, the last six to nine months have been really good and that has been the best I have felt since my surgery, that is really positive ... I am getting lots of matches in. I always feel really comfortable on the grass courts, so the next few weeks will be a good test for me.

Andy Murray, British professional tennis player

Murray said it is difficult to assess his current playing level, adding that competing against top-ranked players allows him to expose certain aspects of his game more effectively.

"It is really hard to say if I'm playing my best level overall," Murray added.

"I don't know because I mean absolutely no disrespect to the players I am playing against, I am aware they are very good players, but when you're playing against guys who are in the top 10 in the world they are able to expose certain things in your game a little bit more as well."

Murray added that he is giving his best as he bids to be seeded by the time of the grasscourt Grand Slam, which runs from July 3-16.

ALSO READ: Aix-en-Provence Challenger: Murray earns first title since '19

"I am doing my best to give myself the best preparation I can for Wimbledon," he said.

Murray will play Swiss eighth-seed Dominic Stricker later on Friday before returning to the Queen's Club Championships on June 19.

ATP Zhuhai Championships

Murray also confirmed he will return to China to compete in 2023 ATP Zhuhai Championships in September.

He will join fellow US Open champion and former world number one Daniil Medvedev at the 2023 Zhuhai Championships held from Sept 20 to Sept 26.

ALSO READ: Medvedev to play in ATP Zhuhai Championships in September

The ATP Tour 250 event marks Murray's second visit to Zhuhai. Murray won the title in the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2019.

"It's great to be playing tennis in China again and I am really looking forward to coming back to play at the Hengqin International Tennis Centre," Murray said.

"I really enjoyed my last visit to Zhuhai. It's a beautiful city and a great city with great fans. I'm looking forward to seeing you all in September," he added.

READ MORE: Andy Murray pulls out of French Open

He has overcome a career-threatening hip injury to re-establish himself among the world's best players. The winner of 46 ATP Tour titles won an ATP Challenger Tour title in Surbiton to move to a ranking of number 44.  

With Xinhua's inputs