Murray produced a stirring performance before losing in five sets in the first round to Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut.
Hip surgery followed and only did he return but came back to win the Antwerp Open last October and one month later hobbled his way to victory for Great Britain in the Davis Cup.
Enclosed in the New York tennis ‘bubble’, Murray has proved this week he is still capable of mixing it with world’s best, beating Frances Tiafoe and World No 7 Alexander Zverev before losing 6-2 6-2 to Raonic.
With Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal absent, a kind draw for Murray could even open the door for a deep run and the 2012 US Open champion now has his sights on a strong performance when the tournament starts on Monday.
Rusedski, the 1997 US Open runner-up, added: “Let him enjoy his time and anything he achieves is an amazing accomplishment.