“It definitely hurts” Andy Murray left disappointed after a dismal performance in a 2nd round defeat to John Isner


“It definitely hurts” Andy Murray left disappointed after a dismal performance in a 2nd round defeat to John Isner

Andy Murray

Former World No. 1 Andy Murray had a match to forget as he crashed out of his home slam, the 2022 Wimbledon Championships in the second round against American veteran and serve bot, John Isner. Isner won the match 6-4, 7-6(4), 6-7(7), 6-4 in 3 hours and 23 minutes firing 36 aces in a service masterclass on the Center Court as he did not drop service once while breaking Murray twice.

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Andy Murray, of course, has been the best home-grown talent for the UK this century, winning the Championships in 2013 and 2016. Before Murray, Tim Henman came close to winning it when he reached the semi-finals in both 2001 and 2002 but failed to ultimately lift the trophy. Ahead of this year’s event, Henman’s 2002 quarter-final opponent Andre Sa explained in a video about what it was like playing the home favourite in such a big match.

There was no such luck for home talent yesterday on on Center Court as prior to the Murray-Isner match, Emma Raducanu also crashed out in straight-sets as her poor form continues. Murray had to dig deep to win the third set and his celebrations were a testimony to that but he could not manage to win it further as Isner closed the match in the next set.

Also Read: “Most overrated player ever!” Fans fume over Emma Raducanu’s second-round exit at Wimbledon, call her US Open victory a fluke

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“I feel disappointed”: Andy Murray after the defeat

Andy Murray
Andy Murray

With Isner and his service game being a well-known challenge, the American had better movements as well making things difficult for Murray. Coming fresh from an injury in Stuttgart, Murray’s chances had dipped and facing such an experienced grasscourt specialist like Isner in the second round was always going to be a big task.

“I was pretty angry after US Open last year. Probably more so than I am just now. I feel disappointed right now. Obviously, I wanted to do well here. I love playing at Wimbledon, a surface I feel I can still compete with the best guys on. It definitely, definitely hurts. When I had my opportunities, he served extremely well and didn’t give me lots of chances. When I did get them, I didn’t get many looks at second serves on important moments on his serve. I didn’t feel like I was undercooked coming into the tournament.

I felt like physically I was in a good place. I played enough matches. I was ready to do well here. But the margins are fine at the highest level. I think the first few sets I didn’t serve well. He was serving extremely well, as you would expect. Then in the fourth set probably lost a game on my serve I shouldn’t have, up 30-0. Missed one or two shots in that game, especially the one on the deuce point, I had a backhand that should never really have missed,” said Murray in his press conference.

Andy Murray feels top seeds in early rounds are a problem for him

Andy Murray | Tennis News | FirstSportz
Andy Murray

Despite playing the Grand Slams, Murray has not reached the second week once since 2018. While he was injured and then making a comeback, his exits are surely a result of playing the seeds in the early rounds due to his own low ranking. Murray entered the Top-100 for the first time after 45 months in February 2022 and was in the Top-50 for a brief period as well as he continues to look to enter the Top-30 in order to be guaranteed a seed at the Grand Slams.

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“I really want to try and improve my ranking to a level where I’m getting seeded in Slams. That was a goal of mine sort of post Miami. I’ve spoken to my team a lot about that, and that’s something that I want to try and put myself in a position hopefully come the US Open. If not the US Open, then going into the Australian Open next year where I’m seeded again. That means obviously I’ll need to be out there competing and winning matches because it does make, like I said, things trickier.

“I was coming into Wimbledon feeling like I could have a deep run. If you’re playing against top guys right at the beginning of the event, obviously makes it a little bit more challenging. That’s kind of what my goals are between now and the US Open. I could have had a good run here. One of the reasons why improving your ranking and trying to get seeded is important, avoid playing top players and dangerous guys like that early in tournaments,” added Murray further.

Also Read: “It’s extremely difficult” Andy Murray drops major retirement after earliest Wimbledon exit

Also Read: “Definitely not better than Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic” Fans get into a heated argument over whether Serena Williams is the GOAT in tennis history after her Wimbledon exit

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