British number one Andy Murray has warned Laura Robson about the "mental baggage" that she will have to overcome ahead of making her return to competitive tennis after 17 months out.
It was confirmed earlier today that Robson, the former world number 27, had accepted a wildcard to play in Eastbourne. She has not played since last year's Australian Open because of a wrist injury.
Murray, who partnered Robson to mixed doubles silver at the 2012 London Olympics, said that he expects her to be "extremely rusty" and doesn't think that the 21-year-old will make a quick return to top form.
"Obviously playing at the elite level or top level of any sport is hard at the best of times but when you haven't played for 17 months, obviously she's going to be extremely rusty, probably be lacking confidence in movement, body," PA quotes Murray as saying.
"There is a lot of mental baggage that she will have to deal with when she comes back.
"I don't know if she works with someone on that front but it is not going to come overnight, it's going to take some time and some matches."
Murray is in action at Queen's Club this week and advanced to the quarter-finals of the Aegon Championships with a straight-sets win over Fernando Verdasco earlier today.
Pascal Lemesre
