The final time Andy Murray exited the Australian Open by the hands of Roberto Bautista Agut, there was hypothesis that the previous World No. 1 had made his last look at Melbourne Park. Skip forward 4 years to the Scot’s four-set defeat to the Spaniard Saturday and Murray’s rapid taking part in future seems to be brighter as a 35-year-old than it did when he was 31.
Though Murray understandably confirmed some fatigue in opposition to RBA after coming into the match following back-to-back 5 units wins – together with a five-hour, 45 minute epic in opposition to Thanasi Kokkinakis that completed after 4 a.m. Friday, the five-time Australian Open finalist seems to be in good bodily situation for a person who has undergone again surgical procedure, two hip surgical procedures and who has performed 954 tour-level matches.
“You by no means know precisely when the tip goes to be,” stated Murray, who underwent a second hip surgical procedure after the Australian Open in 2019. “I wish to exit taking part in tennis like this, the place I am competing with the very best gamers on the earth within the greatest occasions and doing myself justice.
“There have been possibly occasions the final yr or so the place I did not actually really feel like I used to be taking part in effectively, and I did not get pleasure from the best way that I used to be taking part in. These sacrifices and that effort that I put in allowed me to get by means of these matches and play at a excessive degree that I feel was entertaining for the individuals watching.
“I felt good about the best way that I used to be taking part in. It is extra fulfilling for me once I’m taking part in like that, once I’m coming into a significant occasion and actually believing that I can do some harm.”
A winner of two Wimbledon titles and the US Open in 2012, Murray stated that he could make the second week of the majors.
“I can have a deeper run than the third spherical of a Slam, there is no query about that,” he stated. “Clearly attracts can open up for you. I must additionally assist myself with that. If I used to be taking part in at this degree final yr, I most likely would not be ranked 50, 60 on the earth. It is as much as me to try to change that.”
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Murray, who ends the Open at No. 62 within the Pepperstone ATP Dwell Rankings, recounted his restoration from the Kokkinakis match, the longest of his profession. It was additionally the eleventh time he had rallied from two units right down to win, a document amongst energetic gamers.
“I slept from 6 till 9 the morning I performed the match with Kokkinakis, which clearly is not sufficient,” he stated with understatement and a smile. “Then I needed to are available right here. I had about seven or eight blisters that I needed to have drained after which he put this liquid in to dry it. I needed to are available within the morning to offer that point to settle.
“Then I went again to the resort, slept for a couple of hours, after which hit for, like, quarter-hour yesterday. Yeah, simply the ice baths, noticed my physio.
“My ft did not really feel nice. My legs had been truly okay. They weren’t too unhealthy. However I used to be fighting my decrease again. That was affecting my serve. That was actually the principle factor that I used to be fighting right this moment.”
Murray’s subsequent occasion would be the ATP 500 ABN AMRO Open in Rotterdam, starting 13 February.