Andy Murray: Top 100, in any case, not the goal
Andy Murray spoke about his feelings about the world rankings after his departure from the ATP 250 event in Metz.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Sep 26, 2021, 12:29 pm
Andy Murray is currently experiencing first-hand how hard it is to climb back to the top of the world rankings. Although the Scot has been in better shape for a few tournaments, victories like against Ugo Humbert or the five-set fight against Stefanos Tsitsipas underline that. On the other hand, these performances are currently showing relatively little that can be counted. The Scot failed in the decisive set against Tsitsipas, the win against Humbert was followed two matches later by a bitter quarter-final defeat against Hubert Hurkacz.
It is mostly the tough draw that becomes a stumbling block for the three-time Grand Slam winner. For a small streak of victories on the ATP tour, the strengths - as well as the playful consistency in some cases - are not (yet) sufficient. "This defeat is a shame. I felt very comfortable on the pitch. I moved properly and I felt able to fight at eye level with a player like Hurkacz," said Murray himself after his defeat against the Poles.
Top 100 for Murray not a goal
Of course he was frustrated, emphasized the former world number one. He can't stand to play well and still lose. "But now it's time to focus on the next matches," said the Scot, already looking ahead. With his defeat in the round of the last eight in Metz, Murray also missed the chance to make the jump back into the top 100 of the ATP charts. When asked whether it particularly annoyed him to have missed this stage goal due to this defeat, the Scot showed himself to be sporty.
"To be honest, my goal is not to be among the top 100 players in the world. If I had to motivate myself with the ranking, I would aim for the top ten. To be at the top of the ranking is a motivation , but not necessarily everything, "explained the Scot. He does not understand why so many players set the goal of making the leap into the top 100. "It's true that it opens the doors to the main fields of the Grand Slams for them, but it doesn't work for Masters 1000 events or good ATP 500 or ATP 250 tournaments."
He himself had completely different goals in mind, the two-time Olympic winner emphasized: "I want to advance in the ranking so I don't have a top 10 player in the first round, but not just to get a better position ", says Murray, who will meet Kei Nishikori in round one next week - at the top-ranked ATP 250 event in San Diego. Even then, the number two of the tournament - and a top 10 player - could be waiting for the Scotsman with Casper Ruud.