Andy Murray after Rotterdam rumble: "Why should I quit?"
Andy Murray is still fighting for his connection to the top of the world. He resolutely rejects recommendations to resign.
by Florian Goosmann
last edit: Mar 02, 2021, 11:06 am
It wasn't so nice to look at, but that's ultimately not what tennis is about. Decisive: is the victory, and Murray had won against Robin Haase on Monday evening.
The former world number one fought his way through 2: 6, 7: 6 (2) and 6: 3, after 0: 3 deficit in the third set, "I really didn't find my game for an hour and a half," says Murray , "I haven't felt like this often in my career." He didn't really know what he was up to, "and if I did make the right decision, I was wrong about the ball. Somehow it didn't get out of my racket as it usually did."
Murray made it clear that such an evening wouldn't spoil his desire for a comeback. One reason: he plays well in training, "I was extremely competitive in all the sessions that I had with top players." But the criticism gnawed at him. "Whenever I lose a match, I am told to step down, quit tennis, that I am finished, that I have nothing left in the tank and that it is all sad." He feels that he is always playing for his career when he steps on the field, "a certain motivation," explained Murray, "but also extra stress, an extra doubt." He also plays with a metal hip, "it was difficult, believe me, it is not easy."
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Murray sure: my tennis will get better "
All of this is a great challenge, "which I take on clearly" - but the past few months have not been easy, admitted the 33-year-old. A point that gives Murray courage: his tournament victory in Antwerp at the end of 2019, when he defeated three top players with Alexander Zverev, Matteo Berrettini and in the final Stan Wawrinka. And currently: from a physical point of view, he is much better off than he was back then. "So why should I stop?"
He only hopes that he will do better tennis in the coming weeks and is confident. "If I had physical problems, I would be disappointed. But my tennis will get better." Because: His skills have not changed. You could ask the people he trains with. "Except, they all hold back because they feel sorry for me."