WATCH: Andy Murray struggles to contain his tears after facing defeat against Aslan Karatsev in the final of the ATP Sydney Tennis Classic 2022
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Andy Murray has come a long way from his injury struggles that plagued him for a couple of years. Since dropping out of the top 100 in the rankings after a glorious peak, everyone thought that the Scot was finished at the highest level. However, his form last year and at the start of this year proves that the former World No 1 still has a few tricks up his sleeve.
The 34 year old played the final of the ATP Sydney Tennis Classic 2022, but unfortunately lost to Russian first seed Aslan Karatsev in straight sets on Saturday. However, the Scot would take a lot of positives from his performances in the tournament, as he beat World No.21 Nikoloz Basilashvili and secured a tough win against Reilly Opelka en route to the final. Despite falling just short of winning his first ATP title in 2 years, the Scot continues his resurgence after making yet another final after the Mubadala World Tennis Championship.
Murray, playing in his first final since the European Open in Antwerp in October 2019, started tentatively and was broken in the first game of the match as Karatsev raced into an early lead after a couple of solid holds. The second set began much like the first as the 28-year-old Karatsev broke early to seize the advantage, consistently hurting Murray with a barrage of powerful winners from the back of the court. Though the Scot showed glimpses of his old self, he was eventually outmuscled by the 28 year old Russian.
“I miss you all” Murray holds back tears in the post-match conference
After his defeat in the final, an emotional Andy Murray was seen fighting back his years in the post-match conference. The 34-year-old was understandably emotional as he finally made an ATP final in two years, which at the 2019 European Open. In the conference, he took out time to thank his family who supported him during his tough times but paused in between to hold back his tears. The crown filled in with wholesome loud applause for the star.
“Also, I’d like to thank my family back at home…i don’t know if you’re all watching, but I miss you all ( fights back tears as the crowd applauds).”– said Murray about his family.
He further went on to display the love he has for his country. The Scot humourously said that to get free tickets for his matches, a person just has to turn up with the Scottish flag. Murray has publically displayed his love for his country on numerous occasions before too, wearing Scottish themed sweatbands among many other gestures in various tournaments.
“If anyone wants free tickets to my matches, turn up with a Scottish flag and maybe…I might offer a few tickets.”
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Akash Mandal
(433 Articles Published)