ATP ace from China calls ‘favorite’ player Andy Murray ‘a chess master’ for his mental strength

Andy Murray called time on his career at the Paris Olympics last year after which, he started coaching longtime rival Novak Djokovic.

ATP ace from China calls ‘favorite’ player Andy Murray ‘a chess master’ for his mental strength

Andy Murray (Image via X)

Andy Murray is known for his never-give-up attitude. And this quality of his was praised by China’s former World No. 54 Yibing Wu.

Murray retired from tennis at the 2024 Paris Olympics, following which he joined Novak Djokovic‘s entourage as his coach. He guided the Serb to the Australian Open semifinal but Djokovic couldn’t clinch his historic 25th Grand Slam title as injury hampered him to progress beyond the semifinals.

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Murray was forced to call time on his career due to injury woes. Injuries one after another kept affecting his matches but despite struggling, the marathon man didn’t accept defeat without fighting. Wu, when asked on Tennis Brothers’ YouTube channel about who his favorite player is, said that it’s the Scot and explained the reason behind his choice.

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Two things. First, I like that he’s very strong mentally when he’s had to go through a lot of injuries. Second thing, it’s how he manages things on the court. He’s like a chess master on the court.

Yibing Wu said

Murray will coach Djokovic at the Indian Wells where the 24-time Grand Slam champion will be chasing a historic sixth title. He, along with Roger Federer, is the joint record holder in the season’s first ATP 1000 tournament, winning five titles.

Novak Djokovic compared with Andy Murray by tennis broadcaster

Novak Djokovic has reached the twilight of his career and in the next few years, he is expected to hang up his racket. He will turn 38 this May and it’s getting harder for him to win in ATP events let alone win Grand Slam titles.

Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray (2)
Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray (Image via X)

Tennis broadcaster Marcus Buckland compared him with Andy Murray and said his performance in Major tournaments will depend on his fitness as an increase in injuries has been spoiling his Grand Slam plans. Djokovic injured his hamstring and was forced to call off his Australian Open semifinal clash with Alexander Zverev after defeat in the first set.

It is the same with Murray as you never want to write off these great champions until they have given every last ounce to revive their glory days, as these guys love to prove people wrong. He will be doing everything he can to be as fit as he can be and come to Roland Garros and Wimbledon, given a favorable draw and if his body doesn’t let him down, of course, he has a chance.

Marcus Buckland told Tennis365

Injury had forced Djokovic to withdraw from his quarterfinal match at the French Open last year. At Wimbledon, however, Djokovic reached the final but was defeated by Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets.