2021 Tennis

[Buzzo]

****ing gutted about this.

At least in team sport the team survives. This is like being told there will not be a Liverpool to support next season.

He’s had a great career in the face of the greatest era in men’s tennis. Before injury struck he reached 3 Slam Finals in 2016 and World Number 1 for 41 weeks until he limped out of Wimbledon 2017.

It felt like it was his time to dominate and then... that’s it. Finished. Must be very tough to take.

Also - what a guy

He’s the reason I play tennis

[Buzzo]

[ame]https://twitter.com/delpotrojuan/status/1083554349056446465[/ame]

[ame]https://twitter.com/clijsterskim/status/1083576807947784194[/ame]

[ame]https://twitter.com/danielvallverdu/status/1083529195001544704[/ame]

British number one Johanna Konta, speaking to PA: "There have been so many examples of when Andy has stood up for us - not just for women's tennis but women in general.

"He has also been blessed with two daughters and I think he's grown up with a really strong female role model with his mum and now his wife is also a strong character so he is surrounded by great, strong women.

"Honestly I can't imagine the sport without him. He has just been there all the time."

[Buzzo]

Some incredible response to Andy’s news.

ReportReport this social embed, make a complaint
Nick Kyrgios on Instagram: "Andy, I know you take me for a joker most of the time, but at least hear me out on this one old friend. You will always be someone that impacted the sport in so many different ways, I know this was never the way you wanted to go out, but hey it was a heck of a ride.

"You took me under your wing as soon as I got on tour, and to this day you have been someone I literally just look forward to seeing. You are one crazy tennis player, miles better than me, but I just want you to know that today isn’t only a sad day for you and your team, it’s a sad day for the sport and for everyone you’ve had an impact on. Which leaves me big fella..

"These are a couple photos, that should make you smile and think, I was actually a little bit of a younger brother to you. Anyways, I just want you to know, and I’m sure you already do, everyone wants you to keep fighting and to keep being you. Good luck at the Australian Open Muzz, I’ll be behind you."

[Buzzo]

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 are you 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 before Murray returned to the room, 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 yesterday, 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 a heartbreaking embrace in a corridor in the media centre corridor.

[Buzzo]

Not sounding good for Andy

Will we ever see his likes again?

Britain's Andy Murray fears this week's Australian Open could be his last tournament.

The three-time Grand Slam winner, who is struggling to recover from hip surgery, was in tears as he spoke to journalists in Melbourne on Thursday morning.

"I'm not sure I'm able to play through the pain for another four or five months," he said.

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

Murray was visibly emotional the morning after his chastening practice match against Novak Djokovic.

Watched by around 2,000 people on the Margaret Court Arena show court at Melbourne Park, Murray was 6-1 4-1 down when the two players called it a day.

The Scot, whose movement was laboured, held serve only once.

In his news conference, Murray conceded: "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, who has slipped to 230th in the world rankings, is due to face Spanish 22nd seed Roberto Bautista Agut in the first round in Melbourne.

[Buzzo]

Outrageous from Dan Evans

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95RUQbTnnIs"]Shot of the Day | Dan Evans | Sehar TV - YouTube[/ame]

[Buzzo]

Tough draw for Andy, who lost 6-1, 4-1 v Novak in a practice match yesterday. Apparently not looking that movie.

Three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray will face Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut in the first round of the Australian Open.

British number one Kyle Edmund, who reached the semi-finals last year, has a difficult draw against Tomas Berdych.

In the women's draw, British number one and 2016 semi-finalist Johanna Konta will play Australian Ajla Tomljanovic.

British number two Heather Watson faces Petra Martic, while Katie Boulter is up against Ekaterina Makarova.

[Buzzo]

Here is a decent summary of his injury and state of mind. I think the problem is basically the lack of mobility in certain positions coupled with the style of game that made him successful which was in basing able to chase almost anything down.

You have to feel for him. But if any sportsman has the attributes to make it work it is Murray. Can he reinvent himself?

Fingers crossed, the tour has been far more boring without him.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/46793299

[Lecter]

He was a few years ago, sadly it doesn't look like the surgery was a great success. Brutal sport, tennis.

That hip injury finishes most athletes

Long term I bet he needs to have a hip replacement which will definitely end his career

[labourRed]

Andy Murray is finished, isn't he

He was a few years ago, sadly it doesn't look like the surgery was a great success. Brutal sport, tennis.

[Fosterbloke]

What happened to Andy Murray?

[Kenneth]

I would think he probably is, yes.

[captainfog]

Andy Murray is finished, isn't he

[RichC]

The most likely to move into their shoes IMO are the likes of Shapalov, Khachanov and Tsitsipas

Khachanov won the Paris masters the other week and the other two have been knocking on the door for a while

Thiem obviously as well but he's been around the top 10 for a while.

Not sure we'll see the levels we've seen with Nadal, Federer and Djokovic for a while again though

[Buzzo]

Yeah, he looks class beating Federer and Novak in back to back games is impressive - needs to prove it over 5 sets at a Slam though. Agree, doesn't seem to be anyone else of his level coming through.

Really confident on court interview at the end also.

Interesting to see he has just taken Lendl into his camp also, and straight away achieves his biggest win.