DOUBLE MAMMY
Jamie defends title as mum gets gift
Jamie Murray led the Flushing Meadows crowd in singing happy birthday to mum Judy after marking the day with US Open silverware.
The Scot defended his mixed doubles title with Bethanie MattekSands, seeing off Alicja Rosolska and Nikola Mektic 2- 6 6-3 11-9.
Judy was in the stand the day she turned 59 as Murray joked: “I just want to say a quick happy birthday to my mum – it’s her 75th!”
Jamie Murray hit all the right notes with the racquet and the microphone as mum Judy got a very public present in New York.
The Scot wrapped up another US Open title before leading the crowd in a chorus of “Happy Birthday To You” with his mum watching on the day she turned 59.
Mur ray retained the mixed-doubles title he won with Martina Hingis last year as he came from behind to partner Bethanie Mattek-Sands to victory.
The pair share a £120,000 prize cheque after defeating Po l a nd ’ s A l i c j a Rosolska and Croat
Nikola Mektic 2-6 6-3 11-9 on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
And after being presented with the trophy – his sixth Grand Slam doubles success – the 32-year- old joked: “I just want to say a quick happy birthday to my mum – it’s her 75th birthday!”
Murray then kicked off the celebrations as the crowd joined in the singing of the traditional birthday song for his famous mum. The US Open started two weeks ago with all eyes on one Murray as Andy got set to make his longawaited Grand Slam
comeback after a 14-month absence due to a hip injury.
But it was Jamie who celebrated more success with his fourth mixed doubles title to add to two doubles wins.
Andy’s return was shortlived after a second-round exit to Fernando Verdasco with Jamie yet again the last Brit standing in the Big Apple.
Hingis was cheering from the stand af ter retiring following last year’s success.
And asked what the secret is after his win, Murray said: “I just pick the best partner!
“I’ve got a good talent for that. Seriously we’ve had an amazing two weeks and played a lot of great tennis.
“Things were going against
us but we fought hard to try to come back into the match and had a lot of support from the crowd.
“It was great the fans all sat in the lower tier to make an amazing atmosphere.
“The women’s singles final was a few hours later so we appreciated everyone coming out.”
There was no colourful outfit from Murray after eccentric partner MattekSands had threatened to kit him out in some of the wacky attire she i s famed for.
The American then fought back tears as a
win in New York completed a remarkable turnaround 14 months on from suffering a gruesome knee injury at Wimbledon.
She said: “I got a little emotional out there. I’ve had an amazing team supporting me all the way through.
“I’ve gone from not being able to get myself out of bed to playing this final.
“I don’t care what anyone tells you – that you’re too old, too young, too big, too small – you can do anything when you put your mind to it.
“Go out there and choose your at t itude, choose happiness every day no matter what and big things will happen.”