The three-time winner of major tennis tournaments expressed that the past few months have been “extremely challenging on the court” and conveyed his optimism that this victory would mark the beginning of a more successful period. Murray emerged triumphant in the first round of the Qatar Open in Doha on Tuesday, defeating Alexandre Muller, ranked 75th in the world, with a score of 6-1, 7-6(5). This win represents Murray’s first competitive success since October.
Andy Murray emerges VICTORIOUS 💪
Observe the significance of this achievement 👏 pic.twitter.com/qDbRtYVen9
— Sky Sports Tennis (@SkySportsTennis) February 20, 2024
Before the match, the player ranked 50th globally had suffered defeat in all four of his matches in 2024 and had only won one out of his previous ten matches dating back to September, during a particularly challenging period of poor performance. The 36-year-old managed to break his opponent’s serve twice, securing the first set in a convincing manner. However, this success was not without its share of drama, as Murray required treatment for a knee injury early on.
During a medical break, Murray engaged in a conversation with the trainer, stating, “I experienced something similar to this in December. It felt like a bruise… that was the only occasion I encountered it. I am uncertain if it is… I am experiencing some pain here and there, but over the past few days, the pain has intensified.”
In the second set, the British player managed to break his opponent’s serve, taking a 4-3 lead. However, he subsequently lost his own serve in the following game, leading to a tiebreak. Murray showcased his composure and resilience by recovering from a 4-2 and 5-3 deficit in the tiebreak, ultimately winning it 7-5 to secure a long-awaited triumph.
During his on-court interview, Murray expressed, “The past few months have been incredibly challenging for me on the court. I have not emerged victorious in many matches and have suffered numerous close defeats as well. The match became quite tense towards the end, so I am delighted to have overcome these obstacles. It is truly fantastic to witness such a large turnout for a first-round match.”
He further added, “I am proud that I managed to navigate through this match and secure another victory. I am grateful for my team, who have worked tirelessly alongside me during these difficult moments. Hopefully, this marks the beginning of a more successful period.”
TFW: you secure your first victory of 2024 🥳🤣
@andy_murray #QatarExxonMobilOpen pic.twitter.com/3TwmuKPYUc
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) February 20, 2024
The former world number one also shared his thoughts on Jakub Mensik, an 18-year-old emerging talent whom he will face in the second round of the ATP 250 event. Murray commented, “I caught a glimpse of his match today, and he is an incredibly promising young player. He possesses a formidable serve, moves exceptionally well for his size, and is relatively new to the professional circuit. Each tournament and every match will serve as a learning experience and a wonderful opportunity for him to showcase his abilities. I must be prepared for the challenge and analyze some footage.”
According to the Source tennis365.com