Sir Andy Murray

[Barty]

Djokovic & Murray Thrillers Feature In Best ATP Matches Of 2021

3) European Open, First Round, Andy Murray d. Frances Tiafoe 7-6(2), 6-7(7), 7-6(8)

For three-time major champion Andy Murray, the long comeback from two hip surgeries, in 2018 and 2019, required a level of patience he didn’t possess in his early playing days. In his first tournament of 2020, the Western & Southern Open, the wild card defeated Frances Tiafoe in the first round and No. 7-ranked Alexander Zverev in the second – his first Top 10 victory in more than three years.

It was a notable peak in a series of peaks and valleys along the way. Back in August, in Winston-Salem, there was a distinct valley, when Tiafoe knocked him out in the first round. They met again, two months later in the first round of the European Open.

The 23-year-old American had put together a solid season, winning the title in Nottingham and advancing to the fourth round of the US Open, as well as Miami and Toronto. Murray, at 34, was coming off a respectable third-round showing at Indian Wells. Still, nothing could have prepared either player for what followed. In an epic match that featured three tie-breaks, Murray prevailed when he converted his second match point with a clever backhand drop shot that eluded Tiafoe.

Already on Murray’s side of the net, the American gave him a heartfelt hug and congratulated him on his effort.

“I think that’s the first time in my career I’ve played a 7-6, 6-7, 7-6 [match],” Murray told the crowd afterward. “I think it’s the longest three-set match I’ve played by quite a distance. I’m tired right now.”

The 3-hour, 45-minute match was the longest best-of-three-set match of 2021, snapping by seven minutes the standard set by Rafael Nadal and Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Barcelona final.

“Nowadays obviously my body is old now,” Murray added. “I’ve played a lot of matches on the Tour. I don’t mind playing long matches, but that was taking it to another level,” Murray said. “Brilliant match, amazing atmosphere, thanks to everyone who came and supported.”

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/best-at ... 021-5-to-3

[DUN I LOVE]

Dziś o 19 kanał US Open nada premierę filmu dokumentalnego Andy Murray - never give up. Trailer poniżej.

[Damian]

[Barty]

Murray Wimbledon Epic Among Best Grand Slam Matches Of 2021

5) Wimbledon, Second Round, Andy Murray d. Oscar Otte 6-3, 4-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2

Spoiler:

This is what Wimbledon fans live for: Darkness descending, Sir Andy Barron Murray leaving it all out there on the grass of Centre Court, playing every point as if his life depended on it. Truth be told, that’s what Murray lives for, too.

It’s why the 34-year-old was still playing the second round of this year’s Wimbledon tournament – 16 years after his debut there and for the first time in four years – after a pair of career-threatening hip surgeries. The second, in January 2019, involved two metal implants. And while Bob Bryan had a similar hip resurfacing procedure, playing doubles is a world away from the fearsome wear and tear of singles.

Murray’s season had begun modestly, in a Biella, Italy Challenger (he lost in the final) and he had played only five matches coming into Wimbledon as a wild card. After dispatching 24th seed Nikoloz Basilashvili in four sets, he faced German qualifier Oscar Otte, a 27-year-old ranked No. 151 in the world. Otte reached the second round by beating Arthur Rinderknech 13-11 in the fifth set – the match required two days.

Later, Otte would reveal that he shed tears when he watched the documentary that chronicled Murray’s injury struggles.

In 12 previous Grand Slam meetings with qualifiers, Murray had authored 11 victories, but that history seemed irrelevant when he found himself down two sets to one. This one was messy; after winning the first set (and leading 3-1 in the second), Murray suffered numerous unforced errors and bad decisions. The lanky, bearded German kept him off balance with a consistent array of big serves. Murray had a difficult time keeping his feet on the slippery slope that makes Wimbledon so unique. Later, he would attribute that to his lack of match play.

At that point, though, Murray began to channel his previous Centre Court exploits: the finals victory over Roger Federer at the London Olympics in 2012, the major titles in 2013 and 2016. With the score 2-2 in the fourth, the setting sun forced the closing of the roof. That was the end of Otte.

Murray won the fourth set with two winners, a volley and a backhand. The fifth was a Murray highlight film, backed by the unbridled cheers of the spectators. The last stroke was a lob for a winner but that hardly mattered. Murray, against great odds, had survived.

“I enjoyed the end,” he told the crowd, preaching to the choir. “The middle part not so much. What an atmosphere to play in. The whole crowd was amazing but there were a few guys in there who were getting it fired up. I needed everyone’s help tonight.”

After his second surgery, Murray said it was for “quality of life” and to decrease the everyday pain he felt. But a return to elite tennis was always his goal. And while he would lose to Denis Shapovalov in the third round, Murray had achieved it.

“It’s been tough,” he said. “That’s one of the reasons why I’m still playing is because of moments like that. Why would you want to give that up? The atmosphere the last – I mean, it was good the whole match, but especially the last hour and a half was brilliant.

“I still enjoy that.”

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/best-gr ... 021-5-to-3

[Nando]

[Kiefer]

[Kamileki]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBUMzadNDaU

[Damian]

[Damian]

Murray Awarded Australian Open Wild Card

Spoiler:

Scot is a five-time Australian Open finalist
Australian Open tournament organisers announced Thursday that they have awarded former World No. 1 Andy Murray a main draw wild card. The Scot will compete at the event for the 14th time.

“I’m really excited to be back playing at the Australian Open and grateful to Craig and the team for the opportunity," Murray said in a statement. "I’ve had some great times in Australia playing in front of the amazing crowds and I can’t wait to step back out on court at Melbourne Park.”


The 34-year-old owns a 48-13 record at the season’s first major, where he has reached the final five times. The Scot last competed at Melbourne Park in 2019, when he lost against Roberto Bautista Agut in a five-set first-round thriller.

Murray, who was a finalist for Comeback Player of the Year in the 2021 ATP Awards, underwent hip surgery following his 2019 Australian Open appearance. The 46-time tour-level titlist is currently No. 134 in the FedEx ATP Rankings

“Andy is renowned for his fighting spirit, passion and love of the game,” Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley said. “I’m delighted to welcome him back to Melbourne in January.”

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/murray- ... -wild-card

[Kamileki]

[DUN I LOVE]

Heheszki Panicza Andrew:

[Kamileki]

[Nando]

[Barty]

[Bombardiero]

[Damian]

[Damian]

[Bombardiero]

[Bombardiero]

[Bombardiero]