SCRAP METAL
Hip hooray... Andy is up for a fight despite loss
ANDY MURRAY admitted that “something needs to change” after falling outside the world’s top 170 with his defeat by Alex Zverev at the BNP Paribas Open.
The three-time Grand Slam winner showed glimpses of his old magic against the world No.4 (inset) – and he admitted he finds it “quite funny” to be able to compete with the top players in the world with a metal hip.
But Murray showed his anger by twice throwing his racquet during the 6-4 7-6 defeat.
There were lots of reasons the former world No.1 did not want to lose to his successor as Olympic champion.
Murray admitted the two were not “best friends” after he called for an ATP policy on domestic violence following allegations by the German’s ex-girlfriend. Even in the heat of the Californian desert, their frosty relationship was clear.
And the Scot has still not won three consecutive matches at an ATP Tour event since his last title at the 2019 European Open. Murray will now lose those points and his projected world ranking is No.172.
Murray reported it was “physically the best I’ve felt for a while” but he was a break up in each set against Zverev then lost his fifth consecutive tie-break. “There were a lot of mistakes,” he said. “There was some good stuff in there but it was mixed in with bad. There was no consistency. It was either good or bad.
“I didn’t feel like I played a great match and still had chances. But I’m disappointed because I want to be winning these matches. I haven’t in the last few months. Something needs to change.”
The Scot added: “We don’t know exactly what the limit is or how long the hip will be able to tolerate playing high-level sport.
“No one can guarantee my hip will be fine for the next five or six years but that’s the risk I’m willing to take.” Murray will next play in Antwerp and Vienna but is now unlikely to qualify automatically for the Australian Open. The five-time finalist said he will ask for – and probably get – a wildcard. “If I play like I’m playing just now, qualifying shouldn’t be a problem,” he added.
But he will not play in the Davis Cup next month to get ready for 2022.
The 2015 champion, who suffered a pelvic injury in Madrid in 2019, said: “I’ve given a lot to the Davis Cup, and sometimes to my own detriment physically.”