Andy Murray heading to Brisbane early to prepare for tournament

WATCH—Court Report - December 19th:

Andy Murray has arranged to travel to Brisbane a week before the tournament begins, indicating he plans to return to competition at the beginning of the season.

The three-time Grand Slam champion has played just one event since the US Open, and competed in just a handful of tournaments this season during a stop-and-start comeback from hip surgery. Murray is among the many players who have scheduled to arrive in Brisbane early, according to Brisbane's Courier-Mail.

Murray has recently published photos of himself on social media on court with Fernando Verdasco and training in the gym, saying he was "getting ready" for next season. Verdasco and Murray appear to have resolved their conflict about whether Verdasco had broken the heat rule in their second-round encounter during the US Open.

This season began with Murray travelling Down Under but withdrawing from the Australian Open to have hip surgery. The 31-year-old has since had difficult playing several rounds or weeks in a row. But according to recent comments from his camp, his most recent round of rehabilitation appears to have been successful.

Murray also appears to have changed apparel companies, going from Under Armour to Castore—and has been training in Nike shoes.

Murray is still ranked below the Top 250 in the rankings.