IT’S TIME TO SHOW MY METAL

Murray will risk it and push hip to limit as he says: Something must change

ANDY MURRAY admitted “something needs to change” after defeat by Alex Zverev at the BNP Paribas Open left him outside the world’s top 170.

The three-time Grand Slam winner showed glimpses of magic against the world No.4.

And he later said he finds it “quite funny” to be able to compete with a metal hip against the world’s best.

But Murray showed his anger (right) by twice throwing his racket during the 6-4 7-6 defeat and posted a four-letter word to sum up his frustration.

There were lots of reasons the former world No.1 did not want to lose to his successor as Olympic champion.

Murray confirmed 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.

The Scot reported it was “physically the best I’ve felt for a while” but he was a break up in each set against Zverev (inset) and then lost his fifth consecutive tie-break.

He lamented: “There were a lot of mistakes. 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, so that’s positive.

“But I’m disappointed because I want to be winning these matches.

“I haven’t in the last few months. Something needs to change.

“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 me that my hip will be fine for the next five or six years, but that’s the risk I’m willing to take.”

His projected ranking is world No.172 and Murray will next play in Antwerp and Vienna, but is now unlikely to qualify automatically for the Australian Open – needing a wildcard instead. He will not play in the Davis Cup next month, preferring to maintain a decent physical state 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.”