Thanks for standing by me, Jamie
JAMIE MURRAY’S mixed doubles partner has praised his loyalty when she feared her tennis career could be wrecked by injury.
Bethanie Mattek-Sands has thanked Murray for standing by her earlier this year when she was forced to undergo another knee operation.
Murray stayed faithful to their on-court partnership – and they could be rewarded today as they bid to retain their US Open title. They take on the No1 seeds Hao-Ching Chan and Michael Venus in the final after being handed a wild card by organisers following the latest injury setback suffered by Mattek-Sands.
The American had already undergone two serious knee ops in recent years, but was forced to go under the knife again after the Australian Open and sat out Roland Garros. She returned for Wimbledon but, unsurprisingly, she and Murray exited the tournament at only the second round as ring rustiness told.
Mattek-Sands said: “I was close to playing the French Open but knew in my mind I wasn’t fit and wasn’t fully confident. I texted Jamie and asked him to save a spot for Wimbledon, but I wouldn’t have been offended had he found someone else.
“It’s tough not to be able to guarantee availability for tournaments to a doubles partner. It would have been a business decision from Jamie, nothing personal, but he was good to go for Wimbledon. Now it’s like we’re on our reunion tour after my operation in February to remove tissue from behind my kneecap.
“I tried to work through it but it got to the stage I couldn’t walk up and down stairs comfortably.
“The announcement I needed more surgery wasn’t the most fun news I’ve received.
“I kinda had fears for the future because I had been smart and managed my rehab from the other knee injuries.”