Andy Murray: “I served well, moved well. It's been solid so far” - UBITENNIS
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Andy Murray: “I served well, moved well. It's been solid so far”

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9 years ago

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TENNIS WIMBLEDON 2014 – 27th of June. A. Murray d. R Bautista Agut 6-2, 6-3, 6-2. An interview with Andy Murray

 

Q. I can only assume you kept us waiting so long because you’ve been healing the rift with your brother.

ANDY MURRAY: I was just, yeah, doing all the usual stuff after a match. Obviously because it was pretty late, yeah, I just needed to make sure before I go to bed that I’m cooled down and stretched and stuff so I don’t wake up with any sore things tomorrow.

But I haven’t spoken to Jamie yet.

 

Q. Probably for a few years.

ANDY MURRAY: Maybe (smiling).

 

Q. How would you assess your first week?

ANDY MURRAY: Yeah, it’s been good. I played well in all the matches. I mean, I was very happy with the way I played today. More in the third set, I played a bad game on my serve at 4-Love. I could have done a little bit better there.

But apart from that, it’s been good. I served well, moved well. It’s been solid so far.

 

Q. Did you get a chance to speak to Ricky Gervais?

ANDY MURRAY: Yeah, I got to chat with him afterwards. I’d never met him before. I’m a huge fan of The Office. I mean, I’ve watched a lot of the stuff that he’s done, but when I went over to Spain when I was 15, I watched an episode of The Office almost every single night I was there. I could almost, yeah, basically remember it word for word when I was over there training.

Yeah, it was nice for me to get to meet him after the match.

 

Q. Is he a big tennis fan?

ANDY MURRAY: He said he plays some tennis now. I don’t think he’s been to watch loads. But he said he plays quite a bit when he’s back home, not so much when he’s over in America. But, yeah, he seemed to be into it.

 

Q. You’re the only Brit through to the second week in the singles. Yesterday Heather Watson said she could understand some accusation that some of the British players are a little bit spoiled with the facilities and treatment they get, haven’t put it in on the practice courts. What is your take on those accusations?

ANDY MURRAY: I don’t know. To be honest, I don’t spend day in, day out with any of the British players, so I can’t give a fair assessment on that.

When I do my training blocks, I tend to do them over in Miami. Last year I did it with Kyle Edmund when he worked very hard. I did it with Jamie Baker the year before that. He worked extremely hard.

But, yeah, like I say, I don’t see them week in, week out. I don’t see them at the tournaments all the time.

It’s easy to work hard for a couple of weeks, but you need to do it throughout the whole year. I can’t say for sure how hard everyone’s working because I don’t see it. So I don’t know.

 

Q. After the surgery last September, is this about the absolute best you could feel the way things worked out this year?

ANDY MURRAY: To be honest, I didn’t know exactly what to expect. I was happy with the Australian Open. I thought I did okay there. Just physically I wasn’t quite ready. My body just wasn’t ready for a long four or five-set match on the hard courts at that stage.

Yeah, I mean, I’d say I’m happy with where my body’s at right now. Physically I feel good. My back feels much better than it did at this stage last year, so that’s a big positive for me.

I’ve spoken to a few people that have had surgeries, ex-players and stuff. They said sort of six to nine months from when they started playing again until they actually started to feel their best. Obviously some people it can be quicker than others.

But I’m fairly happy with where I’m at just now.

 

Q. Do you think this is the best first week you’ve had at Wimbledon?

ANDY MURRAY: I don’t know. I’ve been asked that a few times when the first week’s gone well.

But I don’t know. It’s been a good start, for sure. I played well from the first game of the first match pretty much through until the end of today’s one. I haven’t used up too much energy, which is good.

But, I mean, it’s impossible to say that. I don’t know if it’s the best I’ve felt. But it’s been a good first week.

 

Q. You haven’t been on court very long.

ANDY MURRAY: Yeah, I think that’s a positive. You can lose a slam in the first week by playing three five-set matches or two five-set matches. They do take their toll a little bit. If you can get through the matches quickly, I obviously have a couple days off now as well, so I’ll be able to work on a couple things tomorrow on the practice court which is nice, then get ready for Monday.

 

Q. Tomas Berdych and Marin just finished their match.

ANDY MURRAY: I couldn’t see the ball on the TV. I can’t imagine what it was like with them.

 

Q. They couldn’t play with Hawk-Eye for the last few games. Do you think it’s fair that a game should continue if technology can’t actually work in the dark?

 

ANDY MURRAY: Yeah, it does make things interesting. I’m not sure exactly what time Hawk-Eye stops. But I’ve seen it a couple times here so far, yeah, when it gets pretty dark that Hawk-Eye stops.

From a player’s perspective, when the light starts to go, it’s tough to play good tennis, to play properly. I don’t think you want matches to be decided on someone shanking a ball because they can’t see it. You want players to be able to play their best tennis for as long as possible.

Yeah, if it was too dark to see, then they should have stopped.

 

Q. In America we talk about how Agassi evolved from being a bratty young guy into a really thoughtful, giving guy. Your journey has been a little different. A lot of people talk about your growth over the years. People are talking about your command of things. Talk about your own path. Is it something you’re aware of or something you feel good about?

ANDY MURRAY: Yeah, well, I think when I first came on the tour, I absolutely loved it. I enjoyed everything that went with it. It was great. I had no problems. I felt pretty free. There was no pressure.

But then obviously I had a few problems with the media. Yeah, it became hard for me. I didn’t feel like I was represented fairly. I don’t know, I went into my shell. I didn’t feel like I could express myself at all. I became very defensive because, you know, I felt like I was getting criticized about not just my tennis but my hair, the way I looked, what I was saying.

Yeah, it was a tough few years for me because my jump came quite quickly from being 350 in the world to playing in the slams and being in press conferences with a lot of people and stuff.

It was a quick transition and I had a few problems in that early part of my career. Then once I started to, yeah, grow up and understand how everything worked, I was able to handle things much better as I got older.

Obviously I’ve had good people around me, as well, that have helped me through tough moments and given me good advice when I’ve needed it.

Yeah, now I feel like I’m a grown-up so I can handle myself fine now.

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Miami Open Daily Preview: Two Matches Between Top 10 Seeds Headline Fourth Round ATP Action

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1 day ago

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28/03/2023

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Taylor Fritz earlier this month at Indian Wells (twitter.com/atptour)

All ATP fourth round singles matches will take place on Tuesday in Miami.

 

And in a rarity, two of those fourth round matches include meetings between top 10 seeds.  2022 Indian Wells champ Taylor Fritz takes on 2022 Bercy champ Holger Rune.  And in a battle of the gingers, Andrey Rublev faces Jannik Sinner.  Other ATP matches on Tuesday include three of the four top seeds: Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, and Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Also on Tuesday, the WTA quarterfinals begin.  American No.1 Jessica Pegula will look to avenge a loss her doubles partner Coco Gauff experienced earlier in the tournament to Anastasia Potapova.  And Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina plays Italy’s Martina Trevisan, who took out another Major champ, Jelena Ostapenko, on Monday.

Each day, this preview will analyze the two most intriguing matchups, while highlighting other notable matches on the schedule.  Tuesday’s play gets underway at 11:00am local time.

Jannik Sinner (10) vs. Andrey Rublev (6) – 11:00am on Grandstand

Rublev is a modest 13-7 this season, but was a semifinalist in Miami two years ago.  He comfortably defeated Miomir Kecmanovic in the last round by a score of 6-1, 6-2.

Sinner is a strong 18-4 this season, and is coming off a semifinal run at Indian Wells.  He was the runner-up at this tournament two years ago.

These two have split four prior meetings, the last three of which occurred on clay.  Their only hard court matchup took place three years ago in Vienna, with Sinner retiring after just three games.  But considering Jannik’s impressive form this season, he should be favored to advance on Tuesday.

Taylor Fritz (9) vs. Holger Rune (7) – 12:00pm on Stadium

Dating back to the end of September, Rune is now 33-8.  The 19-year-old achieved four consecutive finals to end last season, winning two of them (Stockholm, Bercy).  This is his Miami Open debut.

Fritz is 19-5 in 2023, and is vying for his fifth consecutive quarterfinal of the year.  This would mark his seventh Masters 1000 quarterfinal, all achieved since the start of 2021.  But Taylor is 0-2 in the fourth round of this tournament, losing in the past two years to Bublik and Kecmanovic.

In their first career meeting, it’s hard to pick a winner.  Fritz has become a pretty reliable performer, while Rune remains quite a streaky player, with impressive highs and some immature lows.  Both possess similar weapons on court, and neither have dropped a set through two matches.  I’ll give the slight edge to Holger based on his recent hard court success.

Other Notable Matches on Tuesday:

Martina Trevisan (25) vs. Elena Rybakina (10) – Rybakina has now won nine matches in a row.  Trevisan was only 3-8 on the year ahead of this quarterfinal run.  This is another first career meeting.

Karen Khachanov (14) vs. Stefanos Tsitsipas (2) – Tsitsipas survived a tight three-setter against an in-form Cristian Garin on Monday, while Khachanov easily dispatched of up-and-coming 21-year-old Jiri Lehecka.  Stefanos is 6-0 against Karen, which includes a four-set victory at this year’s Australian Open.

Carlos Alcaraz (1) vs. Tommy Paul (16) – Alcaraz is now 16-1 this season, and has claimed his last 17 completed sets.  Paul is 16-5, and was a semifinalist in Melbourne, as well as a finalist in Acapulco.  Tommy took their only previous encounter, last summer in Montreal, in a three-set match that lasted three hours and 20 minutes.

Jessica Pegula (3) vs. Anastasia Potapova (27) – Pegula has now reached the quarterfinals or better at seven of the last nine WTA 1000 events.  This is Potapova’s first quarterfinal at this level in over two years.  At the last WTA 1000 event, in Indian Wells, Pegula came from behind to beat Potapova 7-5 in the third.

Quentin Halys vs. Daniil Medvedev (4) – Medvedev is 25-3 on the year, and received a walkover on Monday from Alex Molcan.  Halys upset Alex de Minaur on Saturday, and had never won a main draw match at Masters 1000 level prior to this fortnight. 

Tuesday’s full Order of Play is here.

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Miami Open Daily Preview: Major Champions Sabalenka and Krejcikova Meet Again on Monday

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2 days ago

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27/03/2023

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Barbora Krejcikova on Sunday in Miami (twitter.com/wta)

All WTA fourth round singles matches will take place on a busy Monday in Miami.

 

2023 Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka and 2021 Roland Garros champion Barbora Krejcikova will meet for the third time in as many events.  Krejcikova prevailed in three sets in Dubai, while Sabalenka prevailed in three sets at Indian Wells.  Who will win the rubber match on Monday?

Meanwhile, ATP third round action concludes on Monday.  Stefanos Tsitsipas and Daniil Medvedev are the top seeds on the bottom half of the draw, and are just a few rounds away from a semifinal which would renew a bitter rivalry that started five years ago in this very city.  But many formidable foes, like Felix Auger-Aliassime, Hubert Hurkacz, and Frances Tiafoe, stand in their way.  However, Medvedev’s path has become a bit easier, as he has received a walkover on Monday from an injured Alex Molcan.

Each day, this preview will analyze the two most intriguing matchups, while highlighting other notable matches on the schedule.  Monday’s play gets underway at 11:00am local time.

Jessica Pegula (3) vs. Magda Linette (20) – Not Before 1:00pm on Stadium Court

Pegula is 17-5 in 2023, and was a semifinalist here a year ago.  Linette is 12-6, and reached her maiden Major quarterfinal in Melbourne, a feat Jessica is still trying to achieve.  Magda currently sits at a career-high ranking of 19th in the world, and would improve on that with a deep run at this tournament.

In their first career meeting, the American should be favored.  Her consistency, paired with her penetrating groundies, have made her one of the WTA’s toughest outs across the last few seasons.  But Linette has plenty of finesse and defensive skills that could drag more errors out of Pegula, so this could be an interesting contest.

Barbora Krejcikova (16) vs. Aryna Sabalenka (2) – Not Before 8:30pm on Stadium Court

Overall Sabalenka leads their head-to-head 3-1, with all matches taking place on hard courts.  Three years ago in Linz, Aryna was victorious in three sets.  Two years ago at the US Open, she was again victorious, this time in straights.  They’ve also both met many times in doubles, as both are Slam champs in women’s doubles as well.

Sabalenka is now 19-2 on the year, and has dropped only 10 games in her four sets played so far in Miami.  Krejcikova is 15-5, and has also advanced to this stage without dropping a set.

I expect another tight battle on Monday between two of the WTA’s top five performers of the year.  But with her huge serve and groundstrokes clicking, and with all the confidence she’s currently playing with, Sabalenka must be considered the favorite.

Other Notable Matches on Monday:

Cristian Garin (Q) vs. Stefanos Tsitsipas (2) – Tsitsipas is 11-3 this season, and is yet to play a match this fortnight, as he received a walkover in his opening round from Richard Gasquet.  Having now qualified for both Indian Wells and Miami, Garin has won nine matches between the two events.  But he is 0-2 against Stefanos at tour level, though both matches were on clay.

Felix Auger-Aliassime (5) vs. Francisco Cerundolo (25) – Auger-Aliassime survived a prolonged two-set battle against Thiago Monteiro on Saturday, which lasted nearly three hours.  Cerundolo was a shocking semifinalist here a year ago.  Felix has already defeated Francisco twice this year, at both the Australian Open and Indian Wells.

Elena Rybakina (10) vs. Elise Mertens – Rybakina is 18-4 on the year, and the Indian Wells champ is currently on an eight-match win streak.  She’s already won two three-setters this past week in Miami, and Elena is 2-1 against Elise, having taken both of their hard court encounters.

Hubert Hurkacz (8) vs. Adrian Mannarino – Hurkacz saved five match points against Thanasi Kokkinakis on Saturday night, winning the longest three-set match of the year at tour-level.  Mannarino took out breakout American Ben Shelton in three sets on the same evening.  Hubi is 2-1 against Adrian.

Lorenzo Sonego vs. Frances Tiafoe (12) – Tiafoe loves playing in Miami, as he’s vying for his fifth consecutive fourth round appearance at this event.  Frances overcame a stern test from Yosuke Watanuki on Saturday, but has split two previous matches against Sonego, both of which took place this past fall.

Monday’s full Order of Play is here.

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Juan Martin Del Potro Not Giving Up On Return To Tennis

Published

3 days ago

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26/03/2023

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Juan Martin del Potro will resume training to see if his body would be able to withstand a potential return to professional tennis later this year. 

 

The former world No.3 hasn’t played a match since losing in the first round of the 2022 Argentina Open in what was a highly emotional encounter for the Argentine who at the time acknowledged that he was unsure if would be able to return to the sport again. Del Potro’s career has been tainted by injury woes with the latest concerning his knee. He has undergone eight surgeries since 2010 to prolong his career. One on his right wrist (2010), three on his left wrist (2014-2015) and four on his knee (2019-2021). 

It could be easy for the 34-year-old to call it a day once and for all considering what he has already achieved in the sport. He has won 22 ATP titles, including the 2009 US Open, and has recorded 10 wins over world No.1 players which are the most by somebody on the ATP Tour who has never topped the rankings. Furthermore, his career prize money earnings are almost $26M. 

However, Del Potro is leaving the door open for a return with his sight set on this year’s US Open. During a recent TV interview, the Argentine confirmed that he is prepared to test his body once again. 

“I love tennis, it will never be a problem to pick up a racquet and see how I feel. The physical problem and my knee are things I work on every day. I’m going to leave that window open, at least until the US Open as I said. This is the most special tournament for me. I still have time, I will start training, see how my leg and knee react and if I can do it or not,” del Potro was quoted as saying by We Love Tennis.

Whilst he has not been seen on the court, Del Potro has maintained his ties with the sport. Earlier this month he was in Sao Paulo attending a Roland Garros junior series event which he was an ambassador for. During his time there, he gave advice to those participating. It was at the event that he also spoke about not being able to reach world No.1 due to the presence of the Big Three. 

“The only thing I lacked was being world No 1,” he said. “It was always a dream and I worked hard for it. I’m proud of my career but I never made it because there was always Federer, Nadal or Djokovic.”
“When I look at the rankings and the years of my career and who was fighting to be No 1, I see that it was beautiful that these were the ones who didn’t let me make it, this dream.”

Del Potro is one of only a few players to have recorded four or more Tour wins against every member of the Big Three. 

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