Andy Murray surprises everyone at the Australian Open

“I’ve a giant coronary heart.”

Most folks speak about themselves – however in Andy Murray’s case, it may be the understatement of the century.

Then, in an on-court interview, the Scots former tennis participant John Fitzgerald instructed that issues could be fantastic for him: “I’m undecided my spouse would agree with that.”

Minutes earlier, Murray made historical past by successful the longest match of his profession in a five-set thriller at 4:05 a.m. (native time) on Friday. (UPDATE: Epic Thriller at Australian Open!)

At 5:45 a.m., 35-year-old Thanasi Kokkinakis and his opponent narrowly missed out on the file for the longest match in Australian Open historical past – however Murray nonetheless managed one thing historic. (UPDATE: All about the Australian Open)

Because he grew to become the first participant in the Open Era (since 1968) to overturn a two-set deficit eleven occasions – and no different statistic in the world describes Andy Murray and his tennis profession higher.

One factor that should be proven to posterity to elucidate what a particular participant Murray was, from his standpoint 4-6, 6-7 and 0-2 occurred in that match.

With the 35-year-old going through a sure end and a few giving up, Murray fought for the final straw towards a a lot youthful opponent in a ten-minute service recreation.

On his fourth breakball, there was a stunning incident: Murray first bounced two balls into the crowd-winning nook as Kokkinakis – he cried in ache as his steel hip was uncovered throughout the quick turns.

The Australian then hit three wickets, all of which had been anticipated by Murray, who raced earlier than he may ship his opponent again to the baseline with an ideal emergency lob. Kokkinakis, most likely not figuring out tips on how to rating from this man, quickly hit the ball into the web.

Murray then put his fingers to his ears to let the shocked crowd know they could not hear. Then he screamed out his feelings – even giving Kokkinakis, who had by no means seen something prefer it, a thumbs up.

Even different tennis gamers had been shocked on social media. For instance, Christopher Eubanks wrote that it was the finest breakball he had ever seen. Feliciano López, 41, even known as Murray his hero.

Then there was the message from Juan Martin del Potro, who known as Murray an “superb legend.” Few perceive Murray’s struggles higher than the long-suffering Argentine, who ended his profession in tears final 12 months.

However, in direction of the finish of the 12 months, del Potro stated he would contemplate a comeback if his physique permits – and Murray’s current progress will definitely encourage the 34-year-old, like many different injured gamers.

After all, Murray’s medical data should fill a number of folders.

His hip specifically had been bothering him for years and the first surgical procedure did not enhance a lot. In July 2018, the three-time Grand Slam winner finally fell to 839th place and was solely the twenty third finest Briton. (SERVICE: ATP World Ranking)

A 12 months and a half in the past, Murray received his second Wimbledon and second singles gold at the Olympics that 12 months, changing into world primary.

Murray was thought-about a member of the “Big Four” as a result of Stan Wawrinka was the just one who may constantly compete with Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic regardless of successful the Grand Slam thrice.

However, his accidents in the end ensured that he’s usually solely talked about in the Big 3 immediately.

In January 2019, all of it appeared over when Murray broke down in tears on the sidelines of the Australian Open after Wimbledon. After her first spherical in Australia, an enormous farewell ceremony was held on court docket with video messages from many ATP and WTA stars.

Even after the recommendation of many associates, reminiscent of doubles participant Bob Bryan, who suffered from comparable hip issues and recovered from them after particular hip surgical procedure, Murray nonetheless left the again door open.

But nobody anticipated Murray to have the ability to carry out tennis miracles with this new steel hip, as he nonetheless did towards Kokkinakis. Especially after his sensational first spherical win over 2021 Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini in 5 units.

After her gorgeous match towards Kokkinakis, WTA social media officers even eliminated an outdated farewell video full of messages from gamers after Murray introduced her retirement in Australia and captioned it with an embarrassed laughing emoji.

In the third spherical, Murray will come full circle, as he’ll face Roberto Bautista-Agut there, an opponent he defeated in 5 units in 2019, after which a bye was celebrated.

At the age of 35, Murray could also be strolling with gum after taking part in 11 hours of tennis with steel hips and loopy sleep in what Murray himself described as a pretend in Melbourne.

But if certainly one of them is unstoppable, it is Murray. He returned to the facility and skilled seven hours after his thriller towards Kokkinakis. Nevertheless, he’ll enter the battle towards the Spaniard as an underdog.

But nobody ought to underestimate him. Because there’s one factor everyone is aware of about Andy Murray – his coronary heart is hell.