For most of the early 2010s, Andy Murray joined Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic to make the ‘Big 4’ of tennis. Much has been discussed about the Brit’s battles with injury and loss of form, and the moniker was even reduced to the Big 3 to reflect his slide.
However, Andy Murray remains a legendary figure in the tennis world owing to his grand slam successes. After a recent loss at the Paris Masters, Andy Murray discussed his disappointment and feelings towards the sport.
Murray opens up about tennis struggles
Andy Murray faced a familiar foe, Australian Alex De Minaur, in the first round of the Paris Masters. They had met five times before, three this year, with Minaur winning all five.
That streak looked like it was set to end when Murray bounced back from a tie-break first-set loss to lead 5-2 in the decider. However, the Brit failed to serve out the match twice and squandered a match point in the process as the world no. 13 won 7-6 (5), 4-6, 7-5 in over three hours.
Murray displayed rage during the final set as he knocked over a water bottle and his towel during a change of ends. He also ended up smashing his racquet after the final point was played.
Murray found it hard to describe his circumstances and what it would take for him to return to form.
“I’m not really enjoying it just now in terms of how I feel on the court and how I’m playing,” Murray said. “The last five, six months haven’t been that enjoyable, so I need to try to find some of that enjoyment back because playing a match like that there’s not much positivity there.
“When I play a good point, I’m not really getting behind myself and then, in the important moments, that will to win and fight that has always been quite a big, big part of my game,” Murray rambled on.
Murray stated he would take time off tennis to consider his participation in the Davis Cup knockouts.
How many times has Andy Murray won a Grand Slam?
The early and mid-2010s saw the best of Andy Murray on the professional circuit. The 36-year-old Glasgow native won three grand slams in that period, including the 2012 US Open, 2013 Wimbledon and 2016 Wimbledon.
In fact, 2012 was a watershed year for the Brit, as he won the Olympic gold medal by defeating Roger Federer, won the US Open and was a Wimbledon runner-up. As the years went by, Murray had his first try with injury in 2013.
However, he would bounce back, win the Davis Cup in 2015 and return to the world no. 2 ranking. He achieved further success in 2016, including a second Olympic gold medal but multiple surgeries to his hip would see him slowly drop out of the top 10 and lose form.
Andy Murray is 36 years old, but as evidenced by his 5-hour and 45-minute Australian Open match against Thanasi Kokkinakis in 2023, the Brit has the physical capabilities. It is the mental part that is failing the Grand Slam champion.
What are your opinions on Murray’s admission to not enjoying tennis? Will we see the great retire soon? Let us know in the comments section below.
