Murray doubles partner reveals scare over injury
● Frenchman suffers thigh pain in Sunday practice but optimistic after singles defeat
Andy Murray’s big Wimbledon comeback was in danger of ending before it began – without the Scot hitting a single shot.
His partner in the doubles, Pierre-hugues Herbert, revealed yesterday that an injury had left him “scared” of not being able to team up with Murray, so much so the Frenchman was dreading having to tell him.
The 28-year-old felt pain in his thigh during a practice session on Sunday but was more optimistic about his fitness after competing in the first round of the singles. “I hope it’s going to be all right,” he said. “I think it’s going to be all right.”
And he admitted the chance to play with a “history-maker” like Murray had been impossible to turn down. “It’s something special to be by his side,” Herbert said.
Herbert is due to be Murray’s third different partner in as many tournaments and since making a winning return to top-flight tennis at Queen’s last month, the threetimes Grand Slam winner and double Olympic champion’s metal hip has been the source of much fascination. But attention switched to Herbert’s strapped thigh after the 28-year-old’s straight-sets defeat on the championships’ opening day.
“I was scared for one of my quads,” said Herbert, whose interest in the singles was ended by Kevin Anderson. “I had a tough time in my practice [on Sunday] and had to stop after half an hour. I didn’t know the pain I was feeling. When you’re in pain and you’re having a Grand Slam the next day you start imagining bad things. I was scared because it was a pain that I didn’t know, so I was really negative.”
Herbert underwent tests and was relieved that “everything was fine”. Relieved, too, he didn’t have to make that phonecall to Murray telling him he wouldn’t be available for the doubles, which start tomorrow. “I don’t want to imagine me having to say anything to Andy about an injury or anything,” Herbert added. Encouragingly, Herbert said he felt “no pain” in the defeat to Anderson which had been a “tough match against an amazing player”.
“When I entered the court I was scared but I played the match, and even though it wasn’t the best I could play, I’m more positive now. It wasn’t the best way to begin Wimbledon but, hopefully, it’s only a beginning.”
Despite being a seasoned doubles man and having achieved victories at all the Majors and 15 in total, Herbert admitted Murray’s stature in the game was making him more nervous – but also more excited – than at any stage in
his career. “I actually feel more pressure than ever,” he said of the prospect of joining the 32-year-old on court. “It’s something so special. I’m feeling so motivated and pumped to play with Andy and to have the luck to be with him here at Wimbledon.”
Herbert has faced Murray on the doubles court before and won a close match in Monte-carlo in 2016.
“It went to the tiebreaker and it was one or two points,” he added. “Andy was playing with Dominic Inglot. It was a great win but I’m happy to have him on my side now. He’s an amazing player and a good doubles player for sure. He has a special thing when he’s playing on the returns. He can get back almost any serve. He’s a complete player.”
Originally Herbert was going to focus on singles this year but Murray’s offer was irresistible, coupled with it being at Wimbledon. “That’s why I changed my mind,” he said, “because Andy is someone who rewrote history here. The only British player [to win at singles] for such a long time … I want to live these kind of experiences.”