Tracy Austin praises Andy Murray for incredible comeback after being told he will never hit the top level again
The former World No.1 was full of praise for the Scottish veteran after his brilliant performances at the 2023 Australian Open
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Tracy Austin and Andy Murray
Former tennis player Tracy Austin says Andy Murray’s run at the 2023 Australian Open was her highlight of the tournament. She praised the Scotsman for fighting back from a career-threatening hip injury which hampered him for years and didn’t allow him to compete for Grand Slam titles as he was doing before the injury.
Austin said, “What I will remember the most from the Australian Open 2023, apart from the champions, is necessarily Andy Murray and the way he continues to compete and fight. I remember four years ago Andy lost and the doctor said to him, ‘You know, I don’t think you’ll be able to play tennis at a high level again’.” The hip injury the 35-year-old picked up set his career back a few years.
There were persistent rumours that Murray would have to retire due to the injury. He confirmed that it was a possibility but was determined to go on. “Yes, you can still have the operation, but it may be a step too far. 10.5 hours on the court for only his first two matches… The way Andy fought until 4:05 in the morning, it’s unbelievable; 5 hours and 45 minutes. We can only applaud this guy. He’s won three Grand Slams, two Olympic gold medals and will soon be in the Hall of Fame – I love watching him compete. He’s a warrior,” Austin concluded.
Murray started 2023 with a bang. He was the one player every tennis fan rooted for at the 2023 Australian Open. His comeback from the hip injury and his persistence has impressed people the world over. And Murray didn’t disappoint the fans, picking up some long, draining, but brilliant wins at the tournament.
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Andy Murray’s brilliant run at the Australian Open
Murray started his 2023 season with bigger goals than in recent seasons. This year, he aims to find the level he was at when he was World No.1, which won him his 3 Grand Slam titles. He started the year as World No.49.
Murray entered the Australian Open unseeded. He started as the underdog immediately. He faced 13th seed Matteo Berrettini in the first round. But Murray surprised the world by winning the first two sets comfortably. Berrettini returned and won the next two to take the game to the fifth set. Murray showed his endurance and technical consistency to win the set in the tiebreak sensationally. That match lasted four hours and 49 minutes. He then faced local boy Thanasi Kokkinakis in the next round. This time he was put under pressure after losing the first two sets.
But Murray had the last laugh here too, winning some brilliant points and saving a match point to take the game to the fifth set. He again showed his experience and class to win the match at 4:00 AM in Melbourne. The game made a record as the second-longest Australian Open match. Murray winning showed his mental strength and further impressed spectators with his determination to compete a the big stages. He crashed out in the third round to Roberto Bautista Agut, but he had already proved his point.
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Samarth Srivastava
(139 Articles Published)