Andy Murray moved by Iranian fan Nazanin Zaghari Ratcliffe’s story who credited the Briton’s 2016 Wimbledon win as source of inspiration in solitary confinement

Andy Murray was talking to the guest editor of BBC Radio 4 when she revealed this.


Andy Murray moved by Iranian fan Nazanin Zaghari Ratcliffe’s story who credited the Briton’s 2016 Wimbledon win as source of inspiration in solitary confinement

Andy Murray with Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe

Former World Number 1 Andy Murray‘s 2016 Wimbledon win helped Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe through her solitary confinement in Iran. The dual Iranian-British citizen said she was ecstatic seeing Murray defeat Milos Raonic. She also revealed she intended to email him to tell him how proud she was at the time. Zaghari-Ratcliffe added that she also planned to watch Murray play in person after her release.

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For context, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was detained in Iran back in 2016. Accused of plotting to topple the Iranian government, she was sentenced to a 5-year prison sentence and placed in solitary confinement. She was granted a tv set with two channels in prison. While one broadcasted Iranian dramas, the other showed the 2016 Wimbledon final. This was a positive surprise for the big Murray fan.

Zaghari-Ratcliffe said,” They had no idea what they had given me. I was always a big fan of you, but also there I was in solitary confinement watching the match that you actually won in the end. I can’t tell you how joyful it was and I was ecstatic just to see you win. Also to think that obviously for a very, very long time, I wasn’t sure when I was coming out.”

“But at the time I thought, I’m just going to go out and find your email and write you an email and say I’m very, very proud. But also you have no idea where I watched you and I was in solitary.” Zaghari-Ratcliffe revealed. Murray and Zaghari-Ratcliffe had a conversation that was broadcasted on BBC Radio 4 where this was revealed.

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This recollection clearly touched Andy Murray. He called it the “strangest, most incredible story” someone had told him about watching him play. He said he would make sure to be a lot more grateful for everything he has after listening to this story.

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Andy Murray looks forward to the 2023 season

Andy Murray

Andy Murray will start his 2023 season at Adelaide Open. The Scotsman will go head-to-head with some highly-ranked players at the tournament. His former rival Novak Djokovic is the top seed at the Open. Many prominent tennis professionals Felix Auger-Aliassime, Jannik Sinner, and Daniil Medvedev will also participate.

35-year-old Murray will be a first-time participant in the tournament. He is excited to take part in Adelaide, as he has always enjoyed Australia. He considers the tournament as excellent preparation for the Australian Open.

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Murray enters 2023 as World Number 49, though he did not have the greatest 2022. The Scotsman admits as much. He was initially looking to forgo playing on clay this year but had his mind changed by a wildcard entry at the Madrid Masters. He will be in action on all three surfaces now.

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