Andy Murray won consecutive matches for the first time this year and reached the third round of the Miami Open for the first time since 2016.
During his third-round match against Tomas Machac, Murray got hurt as he hit the shot that won the 10th game of the final set to make the score 5-5. He hopped and jumped and looked in immense pain; the physio was out right away. After a brief break, Murray decided to continue but lost the match in a closely fought tiebreak.
Murray was playing well and would have fancied his chances to win the match if not for the injury. That, though, would be the least of his concerns as his participation at the grass season looks in doubt in what is possibly his last season on tour.
After the match, Andy Murray announced on his Instagram that he suffered a full rupture of his Anterior Talo-Fibular Ligament during the third set. His full statement was:
“Yesterday towards the end of my match in Miami I suffered a full rupture of my ATFL and near full thickness rupture of my CFL. I will see an ankle specialist when I return home to determine next steps. Goes without saying this is a tough one to take and I’ll be out for an extended period. But I’ll be back with 1 hip and no ankle ligaments when the time is right.”
The fact that Murray managed to carry on for two games and a tiebreak with an injury like that! It just proves he is one of the biggest fighters in tennis. That ankle worried him as a teenager and is a reminder of why he has worn ankle support ever since.
Approaching retirement and a final goodbye in Miami
The two-time Miami champion stuck around to sign autographs and looked very emotional in what was his last appearance at the Miami Open. Murray in his press conference said — “I wasn’t thinking about all the matches I played. Just more that that’s the last match that I am going to play here which is sad because I love it here. Miami has been a special place for me during my career. It’s been my tennis home. I’ve done so much of my work and training and preparation here. I love the city.
“I would have liked it to have gone on a little bit longer. This tournament particularly for me is an important one so it was a bit more emotional leaving the court today than it might be at some of the other events. I am looking forward to the end now, give my best the next few months and get to be at home with my family.”
With his injury struggles since 2016, The three-time Grand champion could have called it quits a long time ago but he chose to fight and has given his all. In a recent interview with Tennis Channel, Andy Roddick said Murray’s heroics have only “added to his legacy.”
“Since 2019, with the hip issue, he will tell you he hasn’t been the same. But the guts of him have been the same. Even if he used to turn around these matches, and lately he hasn’t been able to… the drama’s still there, the fight is still there. In a weird way, I think this kind of compromised version of Murray almost adds to his legacy, the way he’s grinded out the last four, five years. I certainly respect it, I don’t know that I could’ve done it. I don’t know if a lot of us could’ve done it, so props to him if it is the last time we see him in Miami. Hell of a run, pal.”
The most important thing for any athlete is to retire on their terms, not because of injuries. Hopefully, Andy Murray will recover fully and retire whenever and wherever he wants.
Main Photo Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
