Michael Venus waiting on Jamie Murray's availability before knowing Miami partner

Michael Venus says he will find someone else to partner up with in Miami next week if Britain’s Jamie Murray is unavailable.

Venus’ usual partner is suffering from an abdominal strain, which led to the pair withdrawing from their second-round match at Indian Wells.

Murray hopes he’ll recover in time to play in Miami, but if not, Venus will team up with someone else and has already received a number of offers.

“I’m waiting to see how Jamie is and then we have to make a decision about Miami,” Venus said. 

“If his abs are no good, then I’ll try to find someone. He’s doing everything he can to try to be ready.”

Venus returned home to London after his exit at Indian Wells, rather than stay in the States ahead of the Miami ATP 1000 tournament. Even though this meant a trip across the Atlantic Ocean and back, he felt it was a good opportunity to spend time with his family.

“We pulled out Monday morning and Miami doesn’t start until Thursday of the following week,” Venus said.

“I’d already been over there a week before playing and then to do another 10 days over there practising, it becomes a long time away from home and I can do that training over here.

“I’ve always been good at sleeping on flights. So it was an opportunity to head back, spend some time with the family and train here.”

Given Venus’ world ranking of 17 and his reputation in this form of the game, he won’t be struggling to find someone to play with, although most of the other top doubles players would have already secured their partners.

“The entry list is already out,” Venus said. 

“So if there’s someone else who’s entered, but their partner is injured, then that’s a potential option, or there’s the guys who have just missed out on getting in.

“I’ve had messages from a few different guys, saying if Jamie is unavailable, they’d be keen.

“I’ll wait to hear from Jamie and depending on what he says, I’ll start to work through that process.”

Venus feels 2024 has been something of a mixed bag for him. Playing with a few different partners because of an elbow injury to Murray, he was unable to win a match at his first five tournaments, but after teaming up with Murray again, they claimed the title in Doha, their fifth together as a pairing and Venus’ 22nd overall.

“It’s been a bit disjointed,” Venus reflected. 

“At the start of the year, Jamie had a problem with his elbow, so wasn’t fully healthy. 

“We would have liked January to have gone a bit better, but it’s a long season. He took some time off after that and got better.

“In our first tournament back we won Doha and we were feeling pretty good after Dubai too (losing in the quarterfinals). But it was unfortunate what happened at Indian Wells.

“I feel like we’re in a good space and when we’re out there, we’re playing well together. So it’s a matter of trying to do that some more.”