Andy Murray to retire after Paris Olympics [Update at Post#94]

[Muhammad10]

Andy Murray has become the world’s No 1 tennis player for the first time after Milos Raonic withdrew from their Paris Masters semi-final on Saturday.

The walkover was confirmed when Raonic revealed he suffered a tear to his right quad during his last-eight victory over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and would not be able to feature in Saturday's semi-final - handing Murray the final place he needed to secure the ranking, which will become official on Monday morning.

Djokovic had been No 1 since June 2014 - a 122-week run at the top of the list - but his quarter-final defeat to Marin Cilic on Friday opened the door for Murray, who now becomes the 26th man to top the rankings and the first Britain to top the standings since the system was introduced in 1973.

At 29, the Scot is also the oldest player to reach No 1 for the first time since John Newcombe in 1974 and is also the first man other than Djokovic, Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal to hold top spot since Andy Roddick in 2004.

http://www.skysports.com/tennis/new...ld-no-1-after-milos-raonic-withdraws-in-paris

 

[Abdullah719]

Taken him long enough...

 

[Haroon786]

Brilliant achievement, one of if not the greatest British sportsman.

 

[Muhammad10]

The dawn of a new era for Murray?

Wonder if he will exhibit greater self-confidence and start winning grand slams more frequently.

 

[Haroon786]

The dawn of a new era for Murray?

Wonder if he will exhibit greater self-confidence and start winning grand slams more frequently.

He's always been a distant 4th in comparison to Djokovic, Nadal and Federer and it is no surprise that he has lost most of his slam matches to them in the SF and Finals - that is why he is at 3 slams rather than 7-8 slams because ehe lost to better players.

However, right now there is a vacuum with Djokovic displaying a certain drop in form over the last 5 months and all other top players being very inconsistent, Murray can certainly be more positive this time around for the AO and he definitely will be favourite for Wimby if he has a decent start to 2017 too.

 

[Haroon786]

Taken him long enough...

Kind of harsh IMO.

I'm not a Murray, in fact his style of play is anathema to me and I sully don't watch his matches unless he's at the business end of a slam (Federer all the way) but the fact is that he has been unfortunate to be playing in the era of 3 ATGs, an era where for the first time 3 players have won 10 slams and more individually - there was no chance for a great player like Murray to stand up to ATG ability.

 

[Muhammad10]

He's always been a distant 4th in comparison to Djokovic, Nadal and Federer and it is no surprise that he has lost most of his slam matches to them in the SF and Finals - that is why he is at 3 slams rather than 7-8 slams because ehe lost to better players.

However, right now there is a vacuum with Djokovic displaying a certain drop in form over the last 5 months and all other top players being very inconsistent, Murray can certainly be more positive this time around for the AO and he definitely will be favourite for Wimby if he has a decent start to 2017 too.

It's true that he's never been at the level of those three and usually breezes past most non-big-three opponents. That's why he has a decent number of non-grand slam titles to his name, as grand slam titles tend to be hogged by the big-three.

Wawrinka also seems to be in the ascendancy of late. Both of them should be eyeing a few more titles assuming Djokovic doesn't return to form anytime soon, as I don't see any world-class youngsters on the horizon.

 

[Haroon786]

It's true that he's never been at the level of those three and usually breezes past most non-big-three opponents. That's why he has a decent number of non-grand slam titles to his name, as grand slam titles tend to be hogged by the big-three.

Wawrinka also seems to be in the ascendancy of late. Both of them should be eyeing a few more titles assuming Djokovic doesn't return to form anytime soon, as I don't see any world-class youngsters on the horizon.

Unless your name is Roger Federer, 90-95% of the titles a player wins are non-slams.

Wawrinka has excelled at slams over the last few years, when he gets hot no current player can contain his firepower and range.

 

[Abdullah719]

Kind of harsh IMO.

I'm not a Murray, in fact his style of play is anathema to me and I sully don't watch his matches unless he's at the business end of a slam (Federer all the way) but the fact is that he has been unfortunate to be playing in the era of 3 ATGs, an era where for the first time 3 players have won 10 slams and more individually - there was no chance for a great player like Murray to stand up to ATG ability.

He's a great player for sure, I just wish he challenged the top players a bit more. Don't usually support any specific player much - so I root for him as the underdog when he's up against the likes of Djokovic but he usually just lacks that extra bit of inspiration.

I hope he sticks around for a while and really challenges for the majors next year. It would be great if he can win a couple. But the British media would become unbearable if that were to happen...

 

[Haroon786]

He's a great player for sure, I just wish he challenged the top players a bit more. Don't usually support any specific player much - so I root for him as the underdog when he's up against the likes of Djokovic but he usually just lacks that extra bit of inspiration.

I hope he sticks around for a while and really challenges for the majors next year. It would be great if he can win a couple. But the British media would become unbearable if that were to happen...

It wouldn't look right for Murray to have the same no of FOs as Federer, wouldn't mind him getting the Australian and Wimbledon again. He'll be favourite for the AO if Djokovic doesn't win the ***.

 

[The_KING]

Murray gets to number 1. Congrats to him. Also Federer drops out of top 10 for the first time since 2002. Damn injury.

 

[PakLFC]

He deserves it. Has worked very hard to be where he is today.

 

[Muhammad10]

He deserves it. Has worked very hard to be where he is today.

Murray has always been a very hard worker.

The way he cruises past most opponents has always indicated his world-class potential as a player, but I find his temperament suspect when he takes on the best players.

Perhaps he suffers from a lack of self-belief, as sometimes, a few errors result in him losing focus (along with his temper), which tends to throw him off his game at vital junctures.

 

[The_KING]

Murray has always been a very hard worker.

The way he cruises past most opponents has always indicated his world-class potential as a player, but I find his temperament suspect when he takes on the best players.

Perhaps he suffers from a lack of self-belief, as sometimes, a few errors result in him losing focus (along with his temper), which tends to throw him off his game at vital junctures.

Not to mention his style of play is naturally very defensive so an attacking player in the zone will always fancy his chances against Murray.

 

[Haroon786]

Not to mention his style of play is naturally very defensive so an attacking player in the zone will always fancy his chances against Murray.

Think he does tend to be more aggressive when Lendl is coaching him, incidentally all 3 of his slams have come under the aegis of Lendl.

 

[The_KING]

Think he does tend to be more aggressive when Lendl is coaching him, incidentally all 3 of his slams have come under the aegis of Lendl.

Tbh this year's Wimbledon has nothing to do with Lendl. Murray got lucky with the draw. Murray does tend to play more aggressive under Lendl but when the going gets tough, he tends to revert back to his natural defensive game.

 

[Haroon786]

Tbh this year's Wimbledon has nothing to do with Lendl. Murray got lucky with the draw. Murray does tend to play more aggressive under Lendl but when the going gets tough, he tends to revert back to his natural defensive game.

I'm a Federer fan and you're a Federer fan, but we all know that he was struggling for form going into Wimbledon, losing twice on grass to inexperienced players. At Wimby, he also struggled before the SFs, the Quarters vs Cilic he had all but lost before he put in a last ditch effort to clinch the match. Murray was in imperious form going into Wimby and he won comfortably, also he would've been the favourite given the to players' form and fitness if Federer had reached the final after another 5 setter.

 

[The_KING]

I'm a Federer fan and you're a Federer fan, but we all know that he was struggling for form going into Wimbledon, losing twice on grass to inexperienced players. At Wimby, he also struggled before the SFs, the Quarters vs Cilic he had all but lost before he put in a last ditch effort to clinch the match. Murray was in imperious form going into Wimby and he won comfortably, also he would've been the favourite given the to players' form and fitness if Federer had reached the final after another 5 setter.

No, I don't disagree with that. Federer definitely would have lost to Murray in the final. I meant that he was lucky to avoid Djokovic.

 

[Haroon786]

No, I don't disagree with that. Federer definitely would have lost to Murray in the final. I meant that he was lucky to avoid Djokovic.

Maybe Djokovic might have won, but in hindsight we know that he mentally checked out after the French Open win, so in terms of motivation he may not have been there 100% at Wimbledon and that would have had a sure fire impact on his match with Murray.

 

[PakLFC]

Murray has always been a very hard worker.

The way he cruises past most opponents has always indicated his world-class potential as a player, but I find his temperament suspect when he takes on the best players.

Perhaps he suffers from a lack of self-belief, as sometimes, a few errors result in him losing focus (along with his temper), which tends to throw him off his game at vital junctures.

I think he is lucky to be playing in an easier era. Roger Federer is no longer the force he once was. Taking nothing away from Andy I would have liked to see him take on a Roger or Pete Sampras in their prime. Tim Henman was unlucky in that regard.

 

[Haroon786]

I think he is lucky to be playing in an easier era. Roger Federer is no longer the force he once was. Taking nothing away from Andy I would have liked to see him take on a Roger or Pete Sampras in their prime. Tim Henman was unlucky in that regard.

Murray has been playing Federer since 2006 when he was at his peak and he has also faced Federer in 3 slam finals, not sure how that corroborates to 'playing in an easier era' when it is the same era.

 

[PakLFC]

Murray has been playing Federer since 2006 when he was at his peak and he has also faced Federer in 3 slam finals, not sure how that corroborates to 'playing in an easier era' when it is the same era.

I meant that Murray and Henman did not play in the same era. I am comparing the two best British players in recent times and believe that Henman had tougher opponents in his day then Murray has today. If time could stay still for three hours I'd love to see a Henman v Murray showdown.

 

[The_KING]

I meant that Murray and Henman did not play in the same era. I am comparing the two best British players in recent times and believe that Henman had tougher opponents in his day then Murray has today. If time could stay still for three hours I'd love to see a Henman v Murray showdown.

Murray is a much better player than Henman even though I prefer Henmen's style more than Murray's style. Give credit where it's due. Murray deserved to be number 1

 

[PakLFC]

Murray is a much better player than Henman even though I prefer Henmen's style more than Murray's style. Give credit where it's due. Murray deserved to be number 1

Of course I am giving him great credit. Us Scot's are very proud off him!

 

[hadi123]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">BREAKING: <a href="https://twitter.com/andy_murray">@andy_murray</a> says he is unlikely to play again this season due to his hip injury. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SSN?src=hash">#SSN</a> <a href="https://t.co/kp77iRdSMk">pic.twitter.com/kp77iRdSMk</a></p>— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) <a href="https://twitter.com/SkySportsNews/status/905373303518482432">September 6, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[finalfantasy7]

Of course I am giving him great credit. Us Scot's are very proud off him!

Tbf he did move to Spain I think at age 11yrs old with his mum to be part of a tennis academy which Nadal was also part of 2yrs older - he did idealise Nadal when he joined the academy. He should be very thankful to Spain and thr top coaches

 

[PakLFC]

Tbf he did move to Spain I think at age 11yrs old with his mum to be part of a tennis academy which Nadal was also part of 2yrs older - he did idealise Nadal when he joined the academy. He should be very thankful to Spain and thr top coaches

He is still Scottish no matter what. Pakistanis abroad still love Pakistan as much as those living there.

 

[finalfantasy7]

He is still Scottish no matter what. Pakistanis abroad still love Pakistan as much as those living there.

of course, but agree the Spanish made his career, if he stayed in England he would have turned into a poor player - as the English coaches are really behind so many countries. look at heather watson - had to go to america to be coached at a young age along side other English players like laura robson-america/ kyle edmond is actually a south african reject just like kevin peitersin in cricket, so in konta and so is Aljaž Bedene

 

[hadi123]

Former world number one Andy Murray has withdrawn from the Brisbane International because of issues with the long-term injury to his right hip.

The 30-year-old is down to 16th in the world, having not played since July.

Murray, who had been given a bye to the last 16 and was due to play American Ryan Harrison on Thursday, said: "I don't feel I'm where I need to be just yet to compete at the highest level."

The Australian Open starts in Melbourne on 15 January.

"I'm very disappointed to be withdrawing from the Brisbane International," added three-time Grand Slam champion Murray, who won the event in 2012 and 2013.

"I came here with every intention of making a strong start to the year."

Murray has not played competitively since his defence of the Wimbledon singles title ended in a five-set defeat by Sam Querrey in July, when he was hampered by the hip injury.

He made an unsuccessful attempt to return at the US Open in August, pulling out two days before the start of the tournament.

His only public on-court appearances since then have been in exhibitions against Roger Federer in November, and on Friday against Roberto Bautista Agut in Abu Dhabi.

In a recent interview, Murray said he would be content to be playing at "30 in the world level" given his lengthy injury problems.

"I just want to enjoy playing again. I've really missed it the last six months or so," he said.

"Giving yourself breaks, especially as you start to get older, I think, is very important and something that I'll certainly be looking to do for however long I keep playing."

Three-time Grand Slam winner Murray has yet to win the Australian Open, having lost in five finals from 2010-16.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/42539620

Not good news for him, it's a race against time for him to be fit for the Australian Open

 

[finalfantasy7]

Could be game over for him.

We will see regarding Djokovic as well

 

[hadi123]

Andy Murray has confirmed that he will make his comeback from injury at the Fever-Tree Championships at Queen's.

Murray has not played since Wimbledon last year due to a hip injury, with surgery in January further delaying a comeback.

But the 31-year-old was included in the main draw at Queen's Club for the tournament that starts on Monday 18 June, and will face Australian Nick Kyrgios in the first round.

There was speculation that Murray was rushing his rehabilitation to return for the grass-court season, but his mother Judy denied those suggestions last week, saying: " The most important thing is he gets fit again for the long term and any top athlete would tell you they would not come back until they felt they could give 100%, especially in a major like Wimbledon."

Murray joins Novak Djokovic in a stellar field at Queen's, but Juan Martin del Potro and Rafa Nadal have both been forced to withdraw due to injury. Brits James Ward and Edward Corrie have been handed wildcards.

https://www.eurosport.co.uk/tennis/...ry-comeback-at-queen-s_sto6809839/story.shtml

 

[MenInG]

Britain's Andy Murray says he plans to retire after this year's Wimbledon but fears next week's Australian Open could be the final tournament of his career.

The three-time Grand Slam winner, who is struggling to recover from hip surgery, was in tears at a news conference in Melbourne on Friday.

"I'm not sure I'm able to play through the pain for another four or five months," said the 31-year-old Scot.

"I want to get to Wimbledon and stop but I'm not certain I can do that."

However, Murray says he still intends to play his Australian Open first-round match against Spanish 22nd seed Roberto Bautista Agut next week.

The former world number one had surgery on his right hip last January and has played 14 matches since returning to the sport last June.

Murray ended his 2018 season in September to spend time working with rehabilitation expert Bill Knowles but still looked short of the required level when he played world number one Novak Djokovic in an open practice match at Melbourne Park on Thursday.

In his news conference - during which he left the room to compose himself before returning - Murray said: "I'm not feeling good, I've been struggling for a long time.

"I've been in a lot of pain for about 20 months now. I've pretty much done everything I could to try and get my hip feeling better and it hasn't helped loads.

"I'm in a better place than I was six months ago but I'm still in a lot of pain. I can still play to a level, but not a level I have played at."

Murray was frank in his assessment of his abilities, conceding he is no longer able to perform to the level at which he won the US Open in 2012 and Wimbledon in 2013 and 2016.

He told the world's media of the agonising pain he is in when playing and says further hip surgery might be needed to ensure he has a better quality of life in retirement.

"The pain is too much really," said Murray, who is also a two-time Olympic champion. "I need to have an end point because I'm playing with no idea of when the pain will stop.

"I'd like to play until Wimbledon - that's where I'd like to stop playing - but I'm not certain I'm able to do that.

"I have the option of another operation which is a little bit more severe - and involves having my hip resurfaced - which would allow me to have a better quality of life and be free of pain.

"That's something I'm seriously considering now. Some athletes have had it and gone back to competing but there's no guarantee of that.

"If I had it, it would be to have a better quality of life."

Murray, who was knighted in the Queen's New Year Honours list at the end of 2016, also ruled out becoming a doubles player in the future, ending the possibility of him teaming up with older brother Jamie in the twilight of his career.

From the moment Andy Murray walked into the news conference at Melbourne Park, you felt a sense that something wasn't quite right.

Asked a simple opening question of how he was feeling, an emotional Murray struggled to get an answer of "not great" out before covering his face with his cap and sobbing underneath.

Murray has often showed his emotion on court but this was different. This was raw emotion in a place where players - and indeed sport stars generally - don't like to show their true feelings in front of the world's media.

A sombre silence filled the room after Murray temporarily left - before he returned, a little more composed, and managed to tell us more.

The toils of the past four months - going to Philadelphia to work with rehab expert Bill Knowles and realising he still can't reach the required physical level which brought him three Grand Slam titles, plus perhaps the harsh reality of being unable to compete with Novak Djokovic in a practice session here on Thursday - have hit Murray.

Despite his fragile state, he still managed to fulfil his media duties and there was even evidence of his dry wit coming out as he was interviewed by television crews after the main news conference.

But a cracking voice was never far away as he discussed the pain in his hip and in his mind as he contemplated his future.

And when his media duties were done, the tears flowed again between him and coach Jamie Delgado as they shared an embrace in a media centre corridor.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/46833018

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Congrats <a href="https://twitter.com/andy_murray?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@andy_murray</a> for all your achievements all these years. It was great to play against you all these years. Good luck with everything! <a href="https://t.co/BaOsYZ5KTo">https://t.co/BaOsYZ5KTo</a></p>— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) <a href="https://twitter.com/RafaelNadal/status/1083708589712130048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Abdullah719]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YykdkgcRm78" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Sad.

 

[James]

This has been coming for years.

He begun to peak with the US Open win, followed by his first Wimbledon title which was his absolute apex. He was at that particular moment playing tennis that was out of this world, to the point where even Djokovic could not compete with him in the final.

He also later picked up another Wimbledon but frankly this was amongst his easier ever draws in a Slam, and in home conditions especially he should have been expected to win that one - which he comfortably did.

But ever since then his injury has dogged him to the point where he was never going to win another Slam, or even reliably get to the semis, so it’s a difficult decision but the right one.

 

[Salma_T]

Will be sad to see him go.....but as they say you only get one body.

He like others can others can only play who is infront of him so an easy or hard draw isn't in his hands. If he played in an era without these 3 I think his tally of GS would have been higher.

 

[MenInG]

Melbourne - Roger Federer said Sunday he was shocked that tennis was to lose "legend" Andy Murray this year and the Scot should be "incredibly proud" of all he had achieved.

Murray on Friday tearfully declared that his chronic hip injury had not been eased by surgery a year ago.

He then emotionally revealed that he hoped to end his storied career at Wimbledon, but admitted the Australian Open may be his last event because the constant pain was so bad.

"I was disappointed and sad, a little bit shocked, to know now that we're going to lose him at some point," Federer told reporters on the eve of the year's first Grand Slam.

"But we're going to lose everybody at some point. It's just now that it's definite," he added, acknowledging that the era of the "Big Four" -- himself, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Murray was drawing inexorably to a close.

"Of course, it hits us top guys hard because we know Andy very well. We like him. He doesn't have many enemies, to be quite honest," the world number three said of the three-time Grand Slam champion and double Olympic gold medal winner.

"He's a good guy, Hall of Famer, legend. He won everything he wanted to win. Anybody would substitute their career with his. He's a great guy."

Murray has won Wimbledon twice and Federer hoped the Scot could keep playing long enough to be able to say goodbye on the famous grass courts where the Swiss maestro has won a record eight titles.

"Of course, I hope that he can play a good Australian Open and he can keep playing beyond that, really finish the way he wants to at Wimbledon. That's what I hope for him," said 20-time Grand Slam champion Federer, who begins his Australian Open title defence Monday against Denis Istomin.

"It's a tough one, but one down the road he can look back on and be incredibly proud of everything he has achieved."

Murray was the first British man to win Wimbledon in 77 years and will be remembered for battling his way to world number one in 2016 during a golden era for men's tennis alongside Federer, Djokovic and Nadal.

Murray faces a first-round clash Monday against in-form Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut, seeded 22, who beat Djokovic on his was to winning the Qatar Open earlier this month.

https://m.sport24.co.za/Tennis/Aust...can-be-proud-of-achievements-federer-20190113

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

I think if his injury is playing up, he should just retire now, don't know why he's hanging around for Wimbledon if he's in as much pain as he says he is. He's achieved more than any other modern British player, should just be thankful and bow out with his head held high.

 

[Zeeraq]

Andy Murray loses possible farewell match at Australian Open to Roberto Bautista Agut

Andy Murray produced a superb fightback in what might have been his final match but eventually lost in five sets to Roberto Bautista Agut in the Australian Open first round.

The Briton, who is hoping to play at Wimbledon, battled brilliantly before losing 6-4 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 6-7 (4-7) 6-2.

Murray, 31, struggled early on but had the Melbourne Arena crowd roaring as he took the third and fourth sets.

"If this was my last match, it was an amazing way to end," he said.

"I gave everything I had - it wasn't enough tonight."

Murray, a three-time Grand Slam champion, said on Friday he would retire this year because of a chronic hip problem.

However, he did suggest in his on-court interview that there was still a chance he could return to Melbourne.

"Maybe I'll see you again. I'll do everything possible to try," said an emotional Murray after an epic match which lasted four hours and nine minutes.

"If I want to go again, I'll need to have a big operation, which there's no guarantee I'll be able to come back from anyway, but I'll give it my best shot."

Murray almost produces incredible comeback

Following Friday's news conference at Melbourne Park when Murray broke down in tears, many expected the Scot would struggle against a player he had beaten in their three previous meetings.

There were signs in the opening few games that the two-time Wimbledon champion could provide a tough contest. Having initially positioned himself nearer the back of the court, Murray moved further forward by the eighth game and earned a break point, which he could not convert.

Spaniard Bautista Agut went on to break his opponent in the next game before taking the set.

Watched on by brother Jamie and mother Judy, Murray's grimaces were growing in number. He was broken again in the fifth game of the second set as Bautista Agut produced a smash winner, and then served out the set for a 2-0 lead. The 22nd seed seemed on course for a routine victory.

Murray, typically, had other ideas.

Bautista Agut's second wind staves off adrenaline-fuelled Murray

Those inside the arena must have believed they were about to witness one of Britain's greatest sportspeople play his final set of tennis at this tournament and, perhaps, his career.

After the Spaniard broke Murray to 15 in the third game of the third set, it seemed the inevitable was imminent.

But the Briton's career has been built on his doggedness, durability and refusal to give in. To use an analogy from one of his favourite sports, Murray beat the count and punched back by breaking in the next game with a superb backhand down the line.

Another stunning shot helped him save break point in the eighth game and he was close to taking the set in the ninth only to strike a forehand into the net.

But the groans from many of the 10,000 spectators soon turned into euphoric cheers as Murray took the third set on a tie-break. The Scot shrieked with delight and clenched his fist in a manner we have grown accustomed to since he turned professional in 2005.

Bautista Agut was now playing against a rejuvenated Murray and a partisan crowd. Running on adrenaline, the Scot also took the fourth set on a tie-break.

Was Murray about to deliver one of his greatest and most unexpected comebacks?

He was on top again during Bautista Agut's first service game of the decider, leading 0-30. But the Spaniard managed to get a second wind in the nick of time to hold before he broke Murray twice en route to sealing victory.

It remains to be seen if his 854th professional match was his last.

Murray's great rivals pay tribute

During his on-court interview, Murray was shown a video montage of contemporaries, including Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, paying tribute to his career.

"I've been very fortunate to compete in an era with some of the guys that have been around like Rafa, Roger and Novak.

"We've had incredible battles and great matches. Tennis fans will remember us when we stop playing.

"To have respect of my peers is most important thing. It's very nice they took time to do this."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/46860925

 

[MenInG]

Andy Murray says he is "pain free" after hip surgery but that his chances of playing singles at Wimbledon this year are "less than 50%".

Murray had hip resurfacing surgery in January, which he said meant it was possible he would not be able to play professionally again.

But the three-time Grand Slam champion said it was the only option if he wanted to return to competitive action.

"The rehab is slow but going well," the 31-year-old Briton said.

"I want to continue playing, I said that in Australia. The issue is I don't know whether it's possible."

In an interview with BBC sports editor Dan Roan at Queen's Club, the former world number one added: "The operation went well. I'm feeling good and walking around pain free - which hasn't been the case for pretty much 18 months, two years.

"The reason for having the surgery was to improve all the day-to-day things and my quality of life.

"I wasn't enjoying tennis, I wasn't enjoying going out for walks and doing basic things - it was painful tying my laces. I wanted to get rid of that."

"I have to wait and see. I'm not allowed to start doing any high-impact movement for the first four months after the surgery and it is only then when I can see if I can compete at any level," he said.

"Whether that is competing in the top 10 in the world, that is probably unlikely, but could I get to top 50, top 100 level? That may be possible.

"I don't feel any pressure to come back and play. I don't feel like I have to get back to playing Wimbledon or playing tennis again.

"I just want the hip to be as good as it can be and if it allows me to play, that's brilliant.

"If not, I'm not in pain anymore and I'm happy with that."

Murray broke down in tears at the Australian Open in January, saying in his pre-tournament news conference that he planned to retire after this year's Wimbledon because of the pain in his hip.

However, he added that the first Grand Slam of 2019 could prove to be the last tournament of his career.

After a gutsy first-round five-set defeat by Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut, Murray appeared to soften his stance by telling the Melbourne crowd he hoped to see them again next year.

I have no regrets about deciding to have the operation. Even if I was told I couldn't hit a tennis ball again, I would have had the operation

Murray had the operation - which keeps more of the damaged bone than a hip replacement, smoothing the ball down and covering it with a metal cap - in London on 28 January.

American doubles player Bob Bryan had the same surgery last year and was back playing again, alongside twin brother Mike, five months later.

No tennis player has competed in singles after having the operation.

"To play singles at Wimbledon I'd say it would be less than 50% chance, doubles maybe possibly," Murray added.

"Bob Bryan had the same operation and was competing after five and a half months. But there is a vast difference between singles and doubles, in terms of the physicality and the loads you put through the body.

"I think it is possible to return to singles, but I don't want to say it is highly likely because it hasn't been done before. I can't look at another tennis player and say that guy has done it.

"The surgeons said I can try but couldn't give me any guarantees.

"The thing that gives me hope is that in Australia and in the past 18 months, my hip was in a really bad way and I was still able to compete and win matches against very good players."

"If my hip is better now and with less pain there is a chance I could do it again."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/47466258

 

[MenInG]

Andy Murray hopes to make his return to competitive tennis in the doubles at the Fever-Tree Championships at Queen's Club later this month.

The 32-year-old has not played since the Australian Open and had a hip resurfacing operation in January.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/48497850

 

[MenInG]

Murray loses 6-4 6-4 to France's Richard Gasquet on singles comeback

Andy Murray was beaten by Richard Gasquet in his first singles match since hip resurfacing surgery in round one of the Cincinnati Masters.

The British former world number one lost 6-4 6-4 to France's Gasquet.

Murray 32, lost in the first round of the Australian Open in January and broke down in tears amid fears a hip injury may end his career.

After recovering from surgery, three-time Grand Slam champion Murray has played in five doubles events.

 

[The Viper]

Andy Murray: It's 'naive' to think I can return to my best

Britain's Andy Murray said it would be "naive" and "silly" to think he will ever return to his "very best" following hip surgery.

Murray, 32, has mainly competed in doubles matches this year, and is now playing "pain-free" following career-saving treatment in January.

The three-time Grand Slam champion continues his singles comeback at the Zhuhai Championships in China.

"I'm not expecting to get back to my very best," he said.

"I think it would be probably a bit naive and silly to think that would be the case.

"I do feel like tennis-wise I can still compete at the highest level in terms of my skill, it's just whether physically I can get to a high enough level to be competitive right at the top."

The Scot faces world number 72 Tennys Sandgren in the first round in Guangdong on Tuesday - the first of three tournaments in China in as many weeks - as he steps up his bid to recapture his singles form.

The former world number one, now ranked 413th, admits he still has "quite a way to go" but is "enjoying" his comeback and if he "stops improving" he will make a call on his future.

Murray, who made the quarter-finals of the Cincinnati Masters doubles with partner Feliciano Lopez last month, added: "Tennis has always been a huge part of my life, but I realised that actually my health was the most important thing for a happy life and I had always been worried about what life might look like after tennis, but now I'm not worried.

"I had a glimpse these last few months and it was brilliant - hanging out with friends and family, and it was great. "

After Zhuhai, Murray is set to compete in the China Open in Beijing and the Shanghai Masters, before he returns to Europe to take part in the European Open in Antwerp, which begins on 13 October.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/49786235

 

[MenInG]

Britain's Andy Murray will make his Grand Slam singles return at the Australian Open in January.

Murray, 32, a five-time runner-up in Melbourne, has been given a protected ranking of number two.

At this year's Australian Open, the three-time Grand Slam champion said he feared it could be the last tournament of his career because of a hip injury.

He had surgery in January and last week reached his first singles quarter-final in more than a year at the China Open.

Announcing his return, the Australian Open said Murray would "return to the main draw with a protected ranking of number two and restored physical powers".

The Scot, who is now ranked 289th in the world, plays Italy's world number 12 Fabio Fognini in the second round of the Shanghai Open on Tuesday.

Australian Open organisers added that Belgium's former world number one Kim Clijsters could feature in the year's opening Grand Slam in the women's draw.

Four-time Grand Slam champion Clijsters will return to the WTA Tour in 2020 at the age of 36.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/49969517

 

[MenInG]

Andy Murray and Fabio Fognini were reportedly involved in a changing room bust-up after their Shanghai Masters clash on Tuesday.

Three-time Grand Slam winner Murray showed plenty of positives as he was downed 7-6, 2-6, 7-6 in the second-round tie.

During the fiery encounter, the Brit told his opponent to “shut up” and ranted to the umpire after being agitated by the Italian’s behaviour.

Murray also pushed Fognini’s hand away following their brief handshake at the net.

The pair then continued their war of words in the changing rooms.

According to the Times, a number of coaches and officials watched awkwardly as the two argued behind the scenes at the Qizhong Forest Tennis Centre.

On the court Murray said to Fognini: “You say the same to everyone

“Mate, you do the same in every match. It doesn’t matter who you’re playing.”

Murray then turned to the umpire to tell his side of the story.

“So what happened… When I had a volley on top of the net, he shouts…” but the 32-year-old was interrupted by his rival.

“[To Fognini] Shut up. [To umpire] I had a volley on top of the net. He shouts, and then tells me ‘don’t look at me’.


“I’m like ‘you just shouted in the middle of the point’.”

Meanwhile, Fognini tried to play down the incident after the match.

“When I said ‘look at me’ I was trying to be funny. In my mind I was,” he said.

“I don’t know why he took it so seriously.”

And Murray said: “There is a lot of things that I need to get better at, and I can do much better.

“I will go away and I’ll work on those things and be in a better position next time I play against him.”

https://thetimeposts.com/andy-murra...oom-bust-up-at-shanghai-masters-tennis-sport/

 

[MenInG]

Andy Murray broke down in tears after winning his first singles title since career-saving hip surgery by beating Stan Wawrinka at the European Open.

The Briton, 32, launched a stunning comeback from a set and a break down to win 3-6 6-4 6-4 in Antwerp to take his first title for more than two years.

Murray had surgery in January and was playing in just his seventh tournament since returning to singles.

He described it as "one of the biggest" wins of his career.

"It means a lot," the three-time Grand Slam champion said. "The last few years have been extremely difficult.

"I didn't expect to be in this position at all. I'm happy, very happy."

Fellow Grand Slam champion Wawrinka, who has also had a number of recent injury issues, said: "To see you back at this level, it's amazing.

"We're all really happy. I'm sad I lost today but I'm really happy to see you back."

At the Australian Open in January a tearful Murray said he feared his hip problem would force him to retire after the tournament.

But the Scot made a promising return to doubles action in June and then made his singles comeback in August and in doing so became the first player to resume his career after a hip resurfacing operation.

His comeback had been encouraging, reaching the quarter-finals of the China Open, but on Sunday in Belgium he produced his best performance yet against a fellow Grand Slam champion who was playing close to his best.

Murray played well in the first set but was overcome by Wawrinka's scintillating hitting which continued into the second set when the Swiss hit four winners to win Murray's serve for a set and a break lead.

Murray crucially saved two more break points soon after to stop himself falling two breaks behind and then won three games in a row before forcing the decider through his trademark athletic tennis.

Both players looked nervous at the start of the third set with four consecutive breaks of serve but at 4-4 Murray saved two more critical break points, the second seen off with a big first serve.

In the following game, Wawrinka surged ahead but at 40-15 he hit a volley to a Murray lob that looked to be going wide and then Murray hit a running passing shot winner to move to deuce.

Shortly afterwards, on Murray's first match point, Wawrinka hit a forehand wide and, after the pair embraced at the net, Murray was visibly emotional as he waved to the crowd.

'Hip hip hurray' - reaction
Former British number one Greg Rusedski: "Andy Murray has won his first ATP singles title with a metal hip. Incredible effort. What a competitor to win from a set and a break down against Stan the man. Who would have believed it. Amazing."

Great Britain's Davis Cup captain Leon Smith: "An astonishing effort Andy Murray. So so proud of you!!!!"

Former world number three Ivan Ljubicic: "Hip hip hurray Murray. Amazing stuff. Congrats to the whole team."

Jamie Delgado, Murray's coach: "Back in the winners circle again!!! Amazing Andy Murray and of course a big well done to all the team."

To win the match - from a set down, three games to one, and two further break points down - was remarkable.

But to win the title nine months after an operation which was likely to end his career at the highest level is an astonishing feat.

This was just Murray's 17th match back. Never mind the hip; stamina is usually a major issue after such a long absence from the tour.

Not in Murray's case, it appears. Here he was completing, and winning, a fourth match in four days at the end of four weeks on the road.

He will finish the year just outside the world's top 100 after an unimaginably successful and beneficial run of seven tournaments.

Murray now returns home, where his wife is soon to give birth to their third child, and will then finish the season with his Great Britain team-mates at November's Davis Cup finals.

Shapovalov wins first career title
Elsewhere in men's tennis, Canada's Denis Shapovalov won his first ATP Tour title at the Stockholm Open by beating Filip Krajinovic 6-4 6-4 in the final.

Shapovalov, 20, hit 16 aces and lost just two points on his first serve in a one-sided match in which he faced just one break point

The world number 34 will look to carry his good form into the 21-and-under Next Gen ATP Finals starting on 5 November in Milan.

Russia's Andrey Rublev celebrated his 22nd birthday by winning the Kremlin Cup for his second career title.

Rublev beat France's Adrian Mannarino, who was also runner-up last year, 6-4, 6-0.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/50117953

 

[MenInG]

Britain's Andy Murray has pulled out of next month's Australian Open because of a pelvic injury.

The three-time Grand Slam champion, 32, was aiming to play in his first Grand Slam singles event since Melbourne 12 months ago, when he announced that his career might be over because of injury.

He will also not play for Great Britain in next month's inaugural ATP Cup.

"Unfortunately I've had a setback and as a precaution need to work through that before competing," the Scot said.

Spoiler

"I've worked so hard to get myself into a situation where I can play at the top level and I'm gutted I'm not going to be able to play."

Murray has not been in action since Britain's opening tie at the Davis Cup finals last month because of the pelvic issue.

The former world number one, who underwent hip surgery 11 months ago, did not travel to Miami for his scheduled December training block.

Murray has been on court over the past week, but the injury has not cleared up as quickly as the world number 125 had hoped.

Murray and his team - consisting of coach Jamie Delgado, fitness coach Matt Little and physio Shane Annun - decided he should not rush back for the start of the 2020 season next month.

That has ruled out a remarkable return to the Australian Open in Melbourne where, little under a year ago, Murray broke down in tears during an emotional pre-tournament news conference and admitted he thought an ongoing hip injury would force him to quit.

However, he had a "life-changing" operation to resurface his hip later that month - in which a metal cap is put over the femur head - allowing him to return to the doubles court last summer.

Murray made a competitive comeback in the singles in August, going on to win the Antwerp Open title two months later in just his seventh tournament back.

Since that victory over fellow three-time Grand Slam winner Stan Wawrinka, he has only played one more singles match - a laboured three-set victory over little-known Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor at the Davis Cup finals.

"After the Australian Open earlier this year, when I wasn't sure whether I'd be able to play again, I was excited about coming back to Australia and giving my best, and that makes this even more disappointing for me," Murray said.

Murray will not play a match until February at the earliest, with his first tournament now scheduled to be the Open Sud de France in Montpellier.

Instead of going to Australia he will remain at home and continue hitting on court to build up his fitness.

The Australian Open runs from 20 January to 3 February in Melbourne, while the ATP Cup begins on 3 January and takes place in three cities across Australia.

Sydney, Brisbane and Perth will host matches, with teams from 24 countries competing.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/50934605

 

[MenInG]

LONDON (Reuters) - The extended lockdown of tennis will help Andy Murray’s return from injury but it will be “a big ask” for him to add to his three Grand Slam titles, according to former British number one Greg Rusedski.

Murray underwent hip re-surfacing surgery at the start of 2019 and resumed playing doubles in June before returning to singles action in August.

He did not compete at the U.S. Open but won the title in Antwerp in October — his first on the ATP Tour for two years.

Murray, 32, has not played a competitive match this year because of bone bruising near the site of his surgery.

With tennis unlikely to return until at least late July because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Scot has plenty of time to get himself 100 percent fit for when play resumes.

Yet Rusedski says it will be tough for twice Wimbledon champion Murray to regain his former place in the so-called big four of men’s tennis alongside Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

“The good news for him is that he’s had more of a rest at this point,” Rusedski told Sky Sports on Sunday. “Hopefully his body comes back, but to challenge week in week out with Nadal, Federer, Djokovic, (Stefanos) Tsitsipas is going to be hard.

“Can he win matches. Can he possibly win a Tour event, yes he can do so. But to win Slams, that’s three out of five sets, seven matches, that’s a little bit difficult. It’s possible he can get to a quarter-final, fourth round, but to go all the way with the surgeries he’s had, that’s a big ask.

“But I hope he proves me wrong, like he’s done on several occasions.”

Former world number one Murray is now ranked at 129. Next week he will swap his racked for a controller as he plays in the ‘virtual’ Madrid Open, featuring 32 of the world’s best players including Nadal and Dominic Thiem.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...-win-another-slam-says-rusedski-idUSKCN2280FJ

 

[Firebat]

Andy Murray confirms plans for return next month at 'Battle of the Brits'

Andy Murray will return to action on 23 June as part of a six-day tournament organised by his brother. Jamie Murray, the seven-time Grand Slam doubles and mixed doubles champion, has helped put on a behind-closed-doors tournament called ‘Schroders Battle of the Brits’.

It will see the Murray brothers and the likes of Kyle Edmund and Dan Evans play each other at the Lawn Tennis Association’s Roehampton Base. The tournament, which will crown singles and doubles champions, will be screened live on Amazon Prime and raise a minimum of £100,000 for the NHS.

With the ATP and WTA seasons on ice due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Battle of the Brits will bring live tennis back to British fans in a month which should have seen the Wimbledon Championships take place.

“The last few months have been incredibly challenging times for everyone and we see this event as our way of giving back,” Jamie Murray said. “A lot of work has gone in to make sure this could happen and we are very excited to be able to bring an action-packed week of tennis, while raising valuable funds for NHS heroes to say thank you for the amazing work they have done.”

Spoiler

The tournament will run from 23 to 28 June 23 and Jamie Murray added: “I’m really excited to be putting on Schroders Battle of the Brits and for the first time bringing together the current generation of British male players to compete against one another while raising significant funds for charity. I am particularly grateful to our broadcast partner here in the UK, Amazon Prime Video, for enabling this event to happen.”

Prior to the lockdown, Andy Murray had been returning to the court after another injury-enforced absence. The 33-year-old was unable to hit for three months because of what was initially diagnosed as a mild bone bruise.

Murray later believed the problem was heterotopic ossification, bone growth associated with the hip resurfacing operation he underwent in January 2019. The LTA said it is working closely with Jamie Murray on tournament preparations, subject to government guidelines as set out under a phase three return to ‘behind-closed-doors’ elite sporting events.

LTA chief executive Scott Lloyd said: “The LTA is looking forward to bringing tennis back into people’s lives this summer and are excited about events like this inspiring fans to get involved in our sport and pick up a racket.”

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2...tion-next-month-at-battle-of-the-brits-tennis

 

[shaz619]

Good, he was Scottish anyway

 

[Firebat]

Andy Murray: Former world number one hopes to inspire other athletes considering hip surgery

Britain's former world number one Andy Murray says he hopes to prove to other athletes they can still compete at the highest level with a metal hip.

Murray, 33, is making his latest comeback after having the hip resurfacing operation in January 2019.

He beat world number seven Alexander Zverev in the Western and Southern Open, before losing to Milos Raonic.

"Hopefully I have inspired some people who have got these issues and might have the operation," said the Scot.

"To try and show that you can keep going."

Murray is the first player to return to singles after the operation, which sees the femur head capped with metal and put into an artificial socket.

The three-time Grand Slam champion thought he would have to retire by having the operation, breaking down at the 2019 Australian Open when he announced the news.

After having the operation with Royal surgeon Sarah Muirhead-Allwood, Murray returned to action five months later in the doubles and then to singles matches last August.

"It's a challenge playing with a metal hip. It's not that easy," said Murray, who will now focus on next week's US Open.

"There are a lot of people that told me I should stop, which probably made me want to do it even more. A few surgeons and things that told me it was done, which annoyed me a lot."

In October, Murray won his first singles title since the career-saving surgery by beating Swiss three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka at the European Open.

But Murray has since suffered niggling pelvic and shin injuries, meaning the Western and Southern Open was his first top-level tournament since the Davis Cup in November.

"After the latest setback in November, I was pretty gutted, to be honest, about that," he said.

"It was, like, 'I'm back, I can play, I can compete, I can win tournaments' and stuff, and then I got a setback and I didn't really know whether that was going to get better or not, so that was hard.

"But I think if I can stay healthy, I'll have some more good moments on the tennis court."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/53914442

 

[Firebat]

Coco Gauff says Andy Murray is a 'great ally' for highlighting diversity issues

Coco Gauff said she was inspired by Andy Murray after the former world No 1 highlighted a lack of BAME board members at the Lawn Tennis Association and All England Club.

Murray posted a screenshot on Instagram of an interview in which 1996 Wimbledon finalist MaliVai Washington points out that none of the 24 board members across the two organisations are from a BAME background.

The Scot captioned the image "Tennis in 2020" and added a confused emoji, prompting 16-year-old Gauff to describe Murray as a "great ally" in the fight for more diversity.

"Nothing's wrong with asking for more diversity. For him to say that is definitely inspiring, especially with him being a man and white," Gauff said following her defeat by Aryna Sabalenka at the Ostrava Open on Thursday.

"For someone like him to call for diversity, it shows how great an ally he is - I love what Andy is doing on and off the court. He's one of my favourite players to watch.

"It's important we do have diversity, because there are people from all over the world from different backgrounds and areas and I think representation is important. At least for me, as a girl - seeing yourself being represented means a lot."

https://www.skysports.com/tennis/ne...-great-ally-for-highlighting-diversity-issues

 

[Firebat]

Andy Murray awarded wildcard for February's delayed Australian Open

Britain's Andy Murray has been awarded a wildcard for February's delayed Australian Open.

It comes two years after he played what he feared would be his final match as a professional in Melbourne.

The five-time runner-up, suffering from chronic hip pain, lost in five sets to Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut in the first round of the 2019 event.

A film paying tribute to his career was shown on the big screen in the Melbourne Arena after the match.

"We welcome Andy back to Melbourne with open arms," tournament director Craig Tiley said.

"His retirement was an emotional moment and seeing him come back, having undergone major surgery and built himself back up to get on to the tour again, will be a highlight of AO 2021."

At 122 in the world, Murray is ranked just too low to gain direct entry into the tournament, which is due to begin on 8 February after a delay because of coronavirus.

The 33-year-old Scot has also accepted a wildcard to compete at the ATP event in Delray Beach, Florida, in the first week of January.

Murray was able to play only seven official matches this year because of a lingering pelvic injury, and the five-month suspension of the tours.

But he looked sharp in this month's Battle of the Brits event, as he beat both British number one Dan Evans and number three Cameron Norrie in straight sets.

Murray has said he remains confident of winning big matches if he can stay fit and healthy, and has been making the most of an extended pre-season.

"I got on this body fat percentage scale thing, and the read-out that I got from that I wasn't happy with it," he told reporters in November.

"I've worked hard to get to this point, but I can do better. I could make sure I'm eating better, I can make sure I'm stronger in the gym.

"It's the length of time a boxer would have to train for a big fight, and you can get yourself in great shape in that time."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/55459121

 

[Firebat]

Andy Murray pulls out of ATP event in Delray Beach

Britain's former world number one Andy Murray has pulled out of next week's ATP event in Delray Beach - but not because of injury concerns.

Murray had accepted a wildcard to start his 2021 season at the Florida event.

"Given the increase in Covid rates and the transatlantic flights involved, I want to minimize the risks ahead of the Australian Open," said the Scot.

Players will have to pass a series of Covid tests during a 14-day quarantine in Melbourne before the Grand Slam.

British number one Dan Evans has also decided not to play Delray Beach, where he was a beaten finalist in 2019.

Evans, 30, has decided he is not ready to compete and will instead do an extra couple of weeks of pre-season training in preparation for the Australian Open.

The tournament starts on 8 February after being pushed back three weeks because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Murray's appearance at Melbourne Park will come two years after he played there in what he feared would be his final match as a professional.

At 122 in the world, Murray is ranked too low to gain direct entry into the tournament so the 33-year-old, a five-time runner-up in Melbourne, has been given a wildcard.

The three-time Grand Slam singles champion was able to play only seven official matches in 2020 because of a lingering pelvic injury, and the five-month suspension of the tours.

Murray looked sharp in December's Battle of the Brits exhibition event, beating both British number one Dan Evans and number three Cameron Norrie in straight sets.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/55498027

 

[Firebat]

Andy Murray says he has missed the pressure of playing on Wimbledon's Centre Court

Andy Murray is relishing playing in front of a big Centre Court crowd again as he prepares to make his first singles appearance at Wimbledon in four years.

The three-time Grand Slam winner has not played a singles match at the All England Club since 2017 and has ongoing concerns over a groin issue.

But he will mark his return on Monday with a clash against 24th seed Nikoloz Basilashvili on Centre, where the former world No 1 will be assured of massive home support.

Murray, who was included in Britain's tennis team for the Tokyo Olympics, says he is looking forward to taking his first strides back on the hallowed turf of Centre Court where he is looking forward to feeling the pressure again.

"Six or seven years ago, I didn't fear that pressure but it was something that I stressed quite a lot about," the former world No 1 said.

"When I reflect on the last few years, it's actually something I've really missed, playing in front of a big crowd on Centre Court.

"That's what tennis players and tennis fans want to do. There have been times in my career where I've been anxious about that. Whereas right now, I'm looking forward to feeling that pressure.

"I'm not anxious about going out there to perform. I just want to go do it."

Murray is taking confidence from a practice session with Roger Federer into his opening match after the 34-year-old hit with his old rival on Friday.

He has played only four tour-level matches this year and will have his work cut out against the Georgian Basilashvili, who has won two titles in 2021 and reached the semi-finals of the grass-court event in Halle last week.

Murray said: "I've had some good practices with top players. I would like to have done more. But I'm also trying to manage the physical side as well, which is very important.

"I want to go into Wimbledon feeling as fresh and as comfortable as possible when I get out there.

"Getting to play with Roger was really cool for me. They're the sort of things that probably six, seven years ago I wouldn't have given any thought to it. I would have seen that as just being a practice session pre-major with a top player, and focusing on myself.

"I'm probably appreciating those things more. When I take a step back from that, as a tennis fan, getting to play with Roger Federer two days before Wimbledon, it's really great. I haven't had the opportunity to do that sort of stuff much over the last few years. I enjoyed that."

He continued: "The way that I've been performing in my practices with top players, I'm not going out there and getting whacked. I'm competing well with all of the players that I practised with.

"That's the really positive thing for me. That's one of the reasons why I'm sure, if my body holds up, that I can do well, can compete with these guys on the biggest stages."

Federer, who is chasing a record-extending ninth Wimbledon and 21st Grand Slam title, revealed it was nice sharing the court with Murray.

"I thought he looked good. To be honest, you can see how comfortable he is on the grass. Clearly it's just practice, but I hope he can go deep here," the 39-year-old said.

"I think we always back our chances on this surface. But it was great spending time on the court again with Andy. It's nice to see him out there."

https://www.skysports.com/tennis/ne...issed-the-pressure-of-playing-on-centre-court

 

[MenInG]

Andy Murray plans to skip next month's Davis Cup Finals because he is "not sure he deserves to play in that team".

Murray, 34, was knocked out of the Indian Wells Masters in the third round on Tuesday night in a 6-4 7-6 (7-4) defeat by Alexander Zverev.

He won 11 points out of a possible 12 to help Great Britain win the Davis Cup for the first time in 79 years in 2015.

"I've given a lot to the Davis Cup, and sometimes to my own detriment physically," he told BBC Sport.

"The same thing happened last time I played Davis Cup at the end of 2019. I know there was coronavirus, but I was struggling with that really up until September time the following year."

Murray suffered bruising to his pelvis in the 2019 Finals in Madrid, missed the Australian Open and was not able to play again until the tours resumed, after a pause for the pandemic, the following August.

He has been playing better in recent weeks - pushing third seed Zverev close in Indian Wells and taking Stefanos Tsitsipas to five sets in the first round of the US Open. But he is not sure that is good enough for selection into captain Leon Smith's GB squad.

"I also don't feel right now I would be playing, either," he said. "Obviously that would be up to Leon, but I'm not sure I deserve to play in that team.

"Cam [Norrie] and Dan [Evans] have had a great year. Liam Broady's in and around the top 100 now and we've got very strong doubles as well.

"Right now, I'm not planning on playing the Davis Cup and with the late finish to it, and early departure to Australia, with my schedule between now and the end of the year, I am going to have to rest and take a break and give my body a chance to breathe.

"And I want to make sure in the off season I get to spend as much time with my family as I can because I have been away from that recently and that will be case when I go to Australia as well."

Murray - currently ranked 121st in the world - has accepted a wildcard to play in Antwerp and Vienna over the next two weeks, but says his schedule will depend on his body and his levels of fatigue.

Great Britain will play France and the Czech Republic in Innsbruck in the group stages of the Davis Cup on 27 and 28 November, but the competition does not finish in Madrid until 5 December.

That is just three weeks before players are expected to have to travel to Melbourne to begin some form of quarantine before the Australian Open.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Andy Murray made a rare exit in the Australian Open first round after a subdued display against Argentine 30th seed Tomas Martin Etcheverry.

The 36-year-old Briton showed little emotion as he lost 6-4 6-2 6-2 on the second day of the Melbourne tournament.

Murray, a five-time finalist, failed to reach the second round for only the second time in his past 13 appearances.

After conceding 2024 could be his final season before retirement, the Scot has lost both of his matches this year.

Murray told BBC Sport in Brisbane he would think about ending his stellar career if he did not enjoy playing this year, having struggled for form in the closing stages of the 2023 season.

Since the start of the US Open in September, Murray has lost eight of his past 12 matches - including the past four.

Murray is the second Briton to fall in the singles at Melbourne Park, following Jodie Burrage's defeat on Sunday.

Five more of the nation's players - Emma Raducanu, Katie Boulter, Cameron Norrie, Dan Evans and Jack Draper - play their opening matches on Tuesday.

Source : BBC Sports

 

[hassan918]

Andy Murray made a rare exit in the Australian Open first round after a subdued display against Argentine 30th seed Tomas Martin Etcheverry.

The 36-year-old Briton showed little emotion as he lost 6-4 6-2 6-2 on the second day of the Melbourne tournament.

Murray, a five-time finalist, failed to reach the second round for only the second time in his past 13 appearances.

After conceding 2024 could be his final season before retirement, the Scot has lost both of his matches this year.

Murray told BBC Sport in Brisbane he would think about ending his stellar career if he did not enjoy playing this year, having struggled for form in the closing stages of the 2023 season.

Since the start of the US Open in September, Murray has lost eight of his past 12 matches - including the past four.

Murray is the second Briton to fall in the singles at Melbourne Park, following Jodie Burrage's defeat on Sunday.

Five more of the nation's players - Emma Raducanu, Katie Boulter, Cameron Norrie, Dan Evans and Jack Draper - play their opening matches on Tuesday.

Source : BBC Sports

Andy Murray says there is a "definite possibility" he has played his final Australian Open after a subdued display against Tomas Martin Etcheverry in a first-round exit.

"I won't win many matches playing that way," Murray said.

"It's a definite possibility that will be the last time I play here."

Having shown little expression throughout, Murray appeared emotional as he waved farewell to all sides of the Kia Arena on his way back to the locker room.

"Whilst you're playing the match, you're obviously trying to control your emotions, focus on the points and everything," the former world number one said.

"When you're one point away from the end, you're like, 'I can't believe this is over so quickly, and like this'.

"I was disappointed with the way I played and all of that stuff. It was a tough, tough way to finish."

"I have an idea of when I would probably like to finish playing. So much of that depends on how you're playing," Murray, a three-time major champion, said.

"The timeframe for that narrows when you play and have results like today.

"I know that Tomas is a really, really good player. I'm aware of that. Even if I play well today, I can still lose the match.

"It's just the nature of the performance that makes you question things."

Australian Open 2024 results: Andy Murray loses to Tomas Martin Etcheverry

Andy Murray looks emotional as he waves goodbye to the Australian Open crowd after a subdued defeat against Tomas Martin Etcheverry.

www.bbc.com

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Great Britain's Andy Murray has suggested he may only have a "few months" left of his tennis career after earning his second win of 2024 in Dubai.

The 36-year-old beat Canadian Denis Shapovalov 4-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-3.

"I probably don't have too long left but I'll do as best as I can these last few months," he said after the victory.

Murray was on a six-match losing streak until last week when he secured his first win of the year in Doha.


BBC

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Britain's Andy Murray says he is not planning to "play much past this summer" but hopes to compete at another Olympic Games before he retires.

The future of the three-time Grand Slam champion, who turns 37 in May, has come under increased scrutiny after he has struggled for wins in recent months.


BBC

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Britain's Andy Murray claimed a straight-set win over David Goffin to reach the second round of Indian Wells.

The three-time Grand Slam champion, 36, revealed at last month's Dubai Tennis Championships he is not planning to "play much past this summer".

In his first match since then, Murray raced to a routine 6-3 6-2 victory against the Belgian qualifier.



BBC

 

[sweep_shot]

I am surprised Andy Murray is still playing. I thought he retired.

 

[hassan918]

Britain's Andy Murray fell to a straight-set defeat against Russian fifth seed Andrey Rublev in the third round at Indian Wells.

Three-time Grand Slam champion Murray, 36, was beaten 7-6 (7-3) 6-1 by Rublev in a high-quality match in California.

BBC

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Andy Murray gained a measure of revenge against Tomas Martin Etcheverry by beating the Argentine in the second round of the Miami Open.

Etcheverry had beaten the Briton in the first round of the Australian Open earlier this year, but Murray won 7-6 (7-0) 6-3 this time around.

The match resumed at 3-3 after being suspended because of rain on Friday.


BBC

 

[shaz619]

Whenever you see him on TV he’s always in tears, he just has that crying face to

Bechara Andy

#PrayForAndy

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Andy Murray has exited the Miami Open at the round of 32 stage after losing a long and thrilling match against Tomas Machac on Sunday.

Murray did well to come through the match after rolling his ankle in the third set.

The Brit stayed down and looked to be in a serious amount of pain but was able to shake it off and finish the game.

Unfortunately for him his comeback from 502 down in the third wasn't enough as Machac edged the tie-break 7-5.


Dailymail

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Andy Murray was knocked out of the Miami Open in a dramatic 5-7 7-5 7-6 (7-5) last-32 defeat by Tomas Machac.

The Briton, 36, secured his ninth break point to take a 6-5 lead in the opening set before serving out to love.
But Machac hit back to win the second set and then clinched the match in a third-set tie-break, having previously been broken when serving to progress.

Murray received treatment on an ankle injury late in the third set and was also agitated by movement in the crowd.
Elsewhere, British number one Cameron Norrie lost 7-5 6-1 to third seed Daniil Medvedev in just 81 minutes.

Murray loses thriller​

Murray's match against 23-year-old Czech Republic player Machac lasted three hours and 27 minutes and saw him save match point to force a tie-break.

After the Briton secured the opening set, Machac broke Murray for the first time at 6-5 in the second - which was interrupted by a brief rain delay - to draw level.

But Murray's frustration grew with people in the crowd moving and umpire Carlos Bernardes at the end of that set.
In response to an unheard reply from Bernardes to Murray's "useless, useless" comment, the Scot responded: "What are you talking about? It's quite obvious when people are standing up between every single point."

Machac raced into a 3-0 lead in the decider, but Murray retrieved a break and saved match point when serving to stay in the match before succumbing to defeat when he lost the tie-break.

The Scot had worryingly gone down with an ankle injury at the net after hitting the winner to level at 5-5 in the third set.
He received treatment from the physio and managed to continue but could not overcome a resolute Machac, who is ranked two places lower than 58th-placed Murray.

Source: BBC

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Andy Murray: Briton 'out for an extended period' with ankle injury

Andy Murray says he will be out for "an extended period" following the ankle injury he sustained at the Miami Open.

The Briton, 36, received treatment following the incident late in the third set of his dramatic 5-7 7-5 7-6 (7-5) defeat by Tomas Machac on Sunday.

He confirmed he suffered a full rupture of his anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) and near full-thickness rupture of his calcaneofibular ligament (CFL).

Murray will now see a specialist to "determine the next steps".

But the three-time major winner added: "I'll be back with one hip and no ankle ligaments when the time is right."


BBC

 

[Cricket Warrior]

There is no clear timescale for Andy Murray's return after Britain's former world number one ruptured ankle ligaments earlier in March.

The 36-year-old sustained the injury in his Miami Open third-round defeat.

A spokesperson said Murray will miss April's clay-court Monte Carlo Masters and BMW Open in Munich following a consultation with medical experts.

The three-time Grand Slam champion has previously said he does not plan to "play much past this summer".

Murray played on to complete the match against Machac, losing 5-7 7-5 7-6 (7-5), before revealing the extent of the injury on Monday.


BBC

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Andy Murray will not have surgery on an ankle injury suffered last month but does not have a date for his return.

The Scot, 36, ruptured ankle ligaments at the Miami Open and no timescale has been given for his return.

A spokesperson said on Monday that the three-time Grand Slam champion's rehab is "going well" and he is hoping to start hitting again on court soon.

Britain's former world number one has previously said he does not plan to "play much past this summer".


BBC

 

[BouncerGuy]

Murray set to return from injury at Geneva Open

Andy Murray is set to return from injury at the Geneva Open this month.

The three-time Grand Slam champion has been a given a wildcard for the clay-court tournament in Switzerland, which begins on 18 May.

The 36-year-old Briton, who is expected to retire this season, has been out since late March after rupturing his ankle ligaments at the Miami Open.

Murray opted not to have surgery on the injury to reduce recovery time with hopes of playing at both the French Open and Wimbledon, as well as the Olympics in Paris this summer.

The Scot, who turns 37 in May, previously said he does not plan to "play much past this summer" but wants to compete at another Olympic Games before he retires.

The French Open starts on 26 May and Wimbledon, where Murray is a two-time champion, begins on 1 July, while the Olympics take place from 26 July.

The US Open is the final Grand Slam tournament of the season and starts on 26 August in New York.

BBC

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Murray through to next round on injury return

Andy Murray progressed to the second round of an ATP Challenger event in Bordeaux after opponent Kyrian Jacquet retired at the start of the second set.

Murray was leading 7-5 2-0 when Frenchman Jacquet, the world number 219, decided he could not continue.

The Briton was making his comeback from ruptured ankle ligaments suffered at the Miami Open in March.

Despite the disappointment of an early finish, the crowd in Bordeaux treated Murray to a rendition of 'Happy Birthday' at the end of the match on his 37th birthday.

He will play Gregoire Barrere in the next round after the Frenchman beat Spain's Albert Ramos-Vinolas 7-6 6-2.

Murray opted not to have surgery on the ankle injury to reduce recovery time with hopes of playing at the French Open, Wimbledon and the Paris Olympics this summer.

The three-time Grand Slam champion says he does not plan to "play much past this summer" but has not announced where his final tournament will be.


BBC

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Murray beaten at ATP Challenger event in Bordeaux

Andy Murray was beaten 6-4 6-2 as he was knocked out of a clay-court ATP Challenger event in Bordeaux by Gregoire Barrere.

Murray went 5-0 down in the first set and, despite recovering to 5-4, Frenchman Barrere then held his serve to take the opener.

The Briton, who is 77th in the rankings, was broken to love in the third game of the second set and, after failing to take two break points in the next game, went 3-1 down.

Barrere, ranked 115 in the world, went on to lead 5-2 before serving out to win the match in one hour 27 minutes.

Overall, Murray took three of six break points, while his opponent converted six from seven.

The tournament was 37-year-old Murray's first since he ruptured ankle ligaments suffered at the Miami Open in March and he came through a first-round match after opponent Kyrian Jacquet retired when trailing in the second set.

Three-time Grand Slam champion Murray has previously said he does not plan to "play much past this summer" but has not announced where his final tournament will be.

Briton Dan Evans is also taking part in the competition and won 6-3 7-6 (7-3) against Frenchman Harold Mayot to progress to the quarter-finals.

Evans will play Shang Juncheng of China in the next round.


BBC

 

[hassan918]

Andy Murray was on the brink of a first-round defeat by Yannick Hanfmann at the Geneva Open before play was suspended because of bizarre weather conditions.

The former world number one was trailing 7-5 4-1 in Switzerland when rain started to fall and gusts of wind blew white pollen on to the court.

BBC

 

[finalfantasy7]

he really needs to retire after wimbledon, guy can barely last a 5 shot rally

 

[finalfantasy7]

have you lot heard that he lost his his head racket sponsorship - head didnt want to continue... he then tested loads of rackets from male pros he was hitting with.... he then went to a nearby retail shop and bought 10 yonex ezone 100 and added loads off lead tape (rumoured 30g)- as his old racket was heavy around 355grams. he isnt sponsored with yonex - hence since his loss to Gregoire Barrere in bordeux he uses the retail yonex ezone but doesnt have the logo stenciled.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Andy Murray missed the opportunity to play long-time rival Novak Djokovic as Yannick Hanfmann quickly wrapped up victory against the Briton in the Geneva Open first round.

Former world number one Murray was trailing 7-5 4-1 on Monday when play was suspended because of bizarre weather conditions.

Rain started to fall during the match and gusts of wind blew white pollen on to the court, with play cancelled for the day shortly after.


BBC

 

[Cricket Warrior]

I refused to feel sorry for myself - Murray on Paris return

Andy Murray says refusing to "feel sorry" for himself helped ensure he would be fit enough to compete at the French Open for what is expected to be the final time.

The 37-year-old Briton, who plans to retire later this year, ruptured ankle ligaments at the Miami Open in March.

Murray avoided surgery and returned to competitive action a fortnight ago.

He will play at Roland Garros for only the second time since 2017.

"Initially I was expecting to miss the French and not play any clay at all," said the former world number one.

"So to be here and feeling pretty healthy, and the ankle being good, is a huge bonus."

With Murray indicating earlier this year he plans to "not play much beyond the summer", many wondered whether the nature of his ankle injury would deny him the chance to say farewell to the French Open.

It also cast doubt on how fit he would be to play in potential swansongs at Wimbledon, in July, and the Paris Olympics - which start later that month on the Roland Garros clay.

Murray says he initially feared he would be out for "10-12 weeks" but returned just over seven weeks later when he played at an ATP Challenger event in Bordeaux.

"I was surprised how I was during the rehab – I felt really really motivated," said Murray, who starts against fellow three-time major champion Stan Wawrinka when the French Open starts on Sunday.

"I worked extremely hard every single day with my team and physio, there were no breaks or holidays to feel sorry for myself. I just did the work."

The Scot said he was "proud" of how he approached the setback, when "it would have been easy" to be less proactive.

"That’s one of the reasons why I was able to come back a bit sooner than I anticipated," he added.

Murray will play 39-year-old Swiss Wawrinka for the third time in a row at Roland Garros, having lost in the 2017 semi-finals - a match which exacerbated the hip injury which led to career-saving surgery in 2019 - and in the 2020 first round.


BBC

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Murray beaten on possible French Open farewell

Andy Murray may have played his final French Open singles match after losing to Stan Wawrinka in a one-sided first-round meeting between the veteran pair.

Britain's Murray, 37, says this year was likely to be his final one on tour and avoided surgery on an ankle injury in order to return to Roland Garros.

But his lack of court time was evident as he lost 6-4 6-4 6-2 to the 39-year-old Swiss.

It was the former world number one's first appearance on the Paris clay since a first-round defeat in 2020, and only the second since a brutal loss in the 2017 semi-finals – both also at the hands of Wawrinka.

Murray's exit on day one in Paris came after Jack Draper lost to Dutch qualifier Jesper de Jong as the British campaign got off to an inauspicious start.

Draper, 22, is 35th in the world but was beaten 7-5 6-4 6-7 (3-7) 3-6 6-3 to 176th-ranked De Jong.

Murray and Draper were the first of six British players to step out on to the Roland Garros dirt, with Katie Boulter, Cameron Norrie, Dan Evans and Harriet Dart opening their campaigns on Monday and Tuesday.

Murray's French Open is not over yet as he has entered the men's doubles alongside Evans.


BBC

 

[FearlessRoar]

No 'perfect ending' but Murray proud of French Open legacy​

Running along one of the stands on Court Philippe Chatrier is a quote attributed to Roland Garros.

"Victory belongs to the most tenacious," proclaimed Garros, the pioneering 20th century aviator after whom the French Open venue is named.

Andy Murray has certainly proved to be one of the most tenacious players of his generation during a proud career.

Victory did not belong to the 37-year-old, however, in the men's singles first round at what is expected to be his last French Open.

The British former world number one is likely to retire later this year, although has not yet outlined his exact plans.

"There has been a lot of talk about the right, or best, ways to go out from playing tennis. There is no perfect ending in most scenarios," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"I'd like to go out with winning a match or winning a tournament but it doesn't really happen that way for most players."

Murray's tenacity has been illustrated by his achievements at the French Open.

Clay courts have not "always been easy" for him, as he admitted again after losing 6-4 6-4 6-2 to fellow veteran and 2015 champion Stan Wawrinka on Sunday.

Yet, he has reached the final at Roland Garros - the pinnacle of the surface and its ultimate test - when he lost to Novak Djokovic in 2016. He appeared in semi-finals in four other years and lost in the quarter-finals on two other occasions in his 12 appearances.

Added to that, the Scot won some of the biggest ATP Tour titles on the red dirt.

"I did really well here over the years. I think the issue for me is that when you compare it to what Rafa [Nadal] or Novak achieved in the same time, it obviously is minuscule in comparison," Murray said.

"But most players would sign up for the results I've had here."

Spain's Nadal has won a record 14 French Open titles, with Djokovic triumphing three times.

"I lost to Novak in five [sets], Stan in five [sets], and twice to Rafa. Obviously, no shame in that.

"In a different time maybe the results would have been a bit different.

"But I'm proud of the results that I had here and I had great memories."

Murray's French Open is not over yet as he is scheduled to play in the men's doubles alongside fellow Briton Dan Evans.

It may also not be his final trip to Roland Garros, with the venue hosting the tennis competitions at this summer's Olympic Games in Paris.

"My body isn't what it was 10 years ago. I'm fully aware of that," Murray said.

"It takes a lot of time and effort to get it in a position to go out there and compete. It's not always perfect.

"But I still enjoy giving [it] a go and trying to get myself out there and be as competitive as possible."

Andy Murray has 'great memories' from French Open but no 'perfect ending'

Britain's Andy Murray says he has "great memories" from the French Open after what may have been his final singles appearance there.

www.bbc.com