MURRAY AND DJOKOVIC CRASH OUT OF WIMBLEDON
Injured duo Murray and Djokovic exit to clear path for in-form Swiss master
ANDY MURRAY was dumped out of Wimbledon in a shock defeat yesterday and then admitted he does not think he deserves to be world No 1.
Last year’s champion has been suffering with hip issues and succumbed to American 24th seed Sam Querrey, who beat him 3-6, 6-4, 6-7 (4-7), 6-1, 6-1 to stun the fans on Centre Court.
As the Scot surrendered the two last sets, there was a moment when Murray appeared to turn to his support team in the players’ box and tell them: ‘It’s gone.’
It meant the 30-year-old missed out on a spot in the semi-final on the same day that No 2 seed Novak Djokovic crashed out of SW19. Djokovic retired with an elbow injury as he trailed 7-6 (7-2), 2-0 to Tomas Berdych, leaving Roger Federer as the clear favourite to win an eighth All England Club title.
Murray’s hip problem has bothered him and both he and Djokovic could face lengthy lay-offs.
For now, Murray will remain world No 1 but the Scot says he will not hold on to it for much longer.
‘I don’t think anyone has ever stayed at No 1 their whole career,’ Murray said. ‘It always comes to an end. I haven’t played well enough this year to deserve to stay there for much longer.
‘If it doesn’t happen by the end of this tournament, it will happen by the end of the US Open.’
On his injury, he added: ‘The whole tournament I’ve been a little bit sore. But I tried my best right to the end. I gave everything I had. I’m proud about that. I’ll get the best advice I can, then stick with that. If it means taking a few weeks’ rest, so be it. If it means training and doing the right rehab and stuff, then I’ll do that.
‘I’ve been dealing with it for a very long time during my career. Obviously as you get older, things are a little bit tougher to manage than they are when you’re younger. There’s a bit more wear and tear there.
‘I’m sure moving forward I’ll be able to get through it. I just need to do all of the right things and be even more diligent and professional than I have been recently.’
Djokovic, also 30, is likewise considering time out and said: ‘I guess the break is something I will have to consider right now. It’s the elbow that’s already been bothering me for over a year and a half actually. It’s unfortunate that I had to finish Wimbledon, a Grand Slam, this way.
‘I was able for 30 minutes to play with some pain that was bearable. The serve and forehand were the shots where I could feel it the most. I spent about two, twoand-a-half hours today on the table in between the warm-up and the match, trying to do everything I possibly could to make me fit. But it wasn’t to be.’
The world No 2 withdrew from the Miami Open in March citing this elbow issue, but had looked in imperious form here, reaching the last eight without dropping a set.
Djokovic was not helped by the fact that this was his second match in two days, after his fourth round against Adrian Mannarino was held over from Monday night, rather than being finished under the Centre Court roof. Wimbledon put this decision down to security concerns, but Djokovic said yesterday that the scheduling hampered his recovery.
As for Berdych, this was his first victory in his last 13 matches against Djokovic. The 31-year-old Czech will play Roger Federer tomorrow for a place in the final. On facing the Swiss master, Berdych said: ‘I think he’s the greatest of them all. It’s a great challenge to actually have the opportunity to play him.’