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NEW YORK – (AP) – Andy Murray is aware that Stefanos Tsitsipas has a reputation for pushing the limits when it comes to taking breaks during a match. Murray expected this to be a problem in their US Open first-round game – and, when it did, it didn’t turn out well. Not at all.
Murray thinks there was enough to put up with in Monday’s high heat and humidity: he’s 34. He has an artificial hip. He is ranked 112th after a series of health problems. At one point, he fell to the ground, losing his balance in sweat-soaked shoes and leaving stains on the blue court from his soggy clothes.
As the contest spanned nearly five hours, Murray didn’t appreciate that Tsitsipas took a medical time out after the third set and made a long visit to the locker room after the fourth. After an entertaining 2-6, 7-6 (7), 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 loss to Tsitsipas, Murray complained about what he considered unfair play by the runner-up of Roland-Garros. and announced: “I lost respect for him.”
“It’s rubbish. And he knows it too,” said Murray, who has nearly a decade – and a pair of hip surgeries – removed from a US Open championship.
Of Murray’s displeasure, Tsitsipas, who just turned 23, said: “If he has anything to tell me, we should both talk to somehow understand what went wrong.” pass. I don’t think I broke the rules.
The whole thing lent some intrigue to the procedure as the last Grand Slam tournament of the year began. with fans in the stands at full capacity – combined attendance for day and night sessions was 53,783 – a year after all spectators were banned due to the coronavirus pandemic.
With outings for Murray and 2014 champion Marin Cilic, who stopped playing due to an injury in the fifth set against Philipp Kohlschreiber, the only man left in the draw after day one with just one title from the Grand Slam is No.1 Novak Djokovic.
He will debut on Tuesday night as he attempts to break the tie for the men’s mark of 20 majors with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal and will become the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to complete a one-calendar-year Grand Slam. .
Monday night’s schedule at Ashe featured number 2 Daniil Medevev and two-time US Open champion Naomi Osaka. She was about to make her return to Slam after retiring from Roland Garros for a mental health break.
Earlier Monday there were wins for 2017 champion Sloane Stephens, who edged Madison Keys 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (7) in a rematch of their final four years ago. years; multiple Grand Slam title winners and former No.1s Angelique Kerber, Simona Halep and Garbiñe Muguruza; 2020 finalist Victoria Azarenka and 17-year-old American Coco Gauff.
“I just remember, like, last year, not necessarily being bored, but it was so quiet for the US Open,” said 21st seed Gauff after facing Stephens with a 5. -7, 6-3, 6- 4 return against Magda Linette. “I definitely missed the buzz. “
Some spectators complained about the entry delays, which the US Tennis Association said was largely due to the time it took to inspect bags at the entrance gates.
The USTA added that the verification of the proof of vaccination required to attend the event this year went well and did not significantly contribute to the long lines.
Those lucky enough to be in Ashe stood up and roared in unison as Murray hit a forehand winner to take the third set. He raised his right hand above his head and leaned forward, shouting, “I haven’t… finished!” Let’s go! “
But it was Tsitsipas who had not finished. He received treatment from a coach on his left foot after that set, then left the pitch again a set later for several minutes.
After breaking right away and falling 2-0 down in the fifth, Murray made this observation on the pitch: “It has never taken me so long to go to the bathroom. Already.”
Murray later explained that he believed interruptions played a role.
“It’s just disappointing, because I think it influenced the outcome of the game. I’m not saying that I necessarily win this game, of course, but it had an influence on what happened after those breaks, ”he said. “You could argue that I shouldn’t let this affect me. But really, it’s hard, like, when you play such a brutal game in these conditions to have those breaks. Physically, you can’t help it affect you. Mentally, yes, but physically you can’t.
The humidity at 70% and the temperature in the 80 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius high) required a little more than Murray could give. He’s a former No.1 who won Wimbledon twice in addition to his 2012 New York title, but his body didn’t hold up.
Considering his age and health history, it was remarkable that Murray was in attendance, let alone becoming, at No.112 this week, the lowest-ranked man to upset an opponent in the top three at the US Open since the computerized ATP rankings began in 1973.
After a third round outing at Wimbledon early last month, Murray looked rather gloomy about his future, frustrated at not being able to train as much as he would like to be properly competitive. Murray said facing Tsitsipas on Saturday would be “a good, good test for me to see where my game is”.
He seemed to pass this test. He would have preferred to win.
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