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In a 6-3, 6-0, 6-1 first-round death over Ryan Peniston at Wimbledon, Andy Murray slipped past years. Murray sent farther and farther from the baseline, disrupting the tempo with his backhand chip, coming, and groaning as he returned everything Peniston threw at him, finally getting past him at the net. The center court crowd — including the now-retired, on-brand Roger Federer, who occupies his place in the royal box — went into a standing ovation when Murray racked up a routine win, looking like the player the home crowd had fallen in love with for over a decade. since.
Year in, year out, hip metal and all, Murray’s reception to center court is still as boisterous as ever. Ten years ago, Murray gave the sporting arena one of its most iconic moments after he ended an alarming 77-year wait for Britain’s Wimbledon singles champion, by defeating Novak Djokovic in the final.
Since then, what was once a huge strain on his little shoulders has turned into a loving home support that he has been able to feed. A decade later, his career is no longer peaking, and after hip replacement surgery in 2019, the high grass must be brutally low on his body. However, there is nowhere else in the world that Murray fancies his chances more.
Shining bright in center court 🌟# Wimbledon | @British Andy Murray pic.twitter.com/0r2VmCJJqA
– Wimbledon (@wimbledon) July 4, 2023
“I think I’m one of the best grass court players in the world,” Murray declared in his pre-event press conference. The Scotsman set out to prove his superficial pedigree against his compatriot on Tuesday. He cut corners with a deep return. Gain seemingly unwinnable points with his defensive hallmarks. He furiously used his back hand to draw lines one at a time, then slowed down time by hitting those very low slices.
The last time Djokovic – the tournament favourite – lost a match on center court was in that final in 2013. Of the 128 players who started the main draw in the men’s singles, Murray was the only player to win a match on grass court against him. Serbs. Running deep then, with the crowd on his side, isn’t entirely out of the question for Murray.
But he’s been here before. He has very little to show for all the fuss Murray has made in his later years. He has won only one Tour level title since 2017. Since then, he has been unsuccessful in the Tour 3 Major. He has faced criticism for his use of wildcards—invitations that allow direct entry into the main draw regardless of ranking—at Grand Slams. World No. 13 Cameron Norrie, who defeated Djokovic in last year’s semi-final, is the home favorite in Britain.
On paper, Murray has won just three Grand Slam titles – and he was overtaken by 22-year-old Iga Swiatek at the French Open this month. The numbers would indicate that it was located outside of the so-called “Big Three”. But Murray has reached 11 major finals in the sport’s most competitive period. He has defeated Djokovic, Federer and Rafael Nadal 29 times.
Feeling at home in the center court 🌱# Wimbledon | @British Andy Murray pic.twitter.com/kfGjTYv67f
– Wimbledon (@wimbledon) July 4, 2023
Therefore, it is difficult to comprehend what motivates the Scotsman to continue grinding on tour. Yet, as I watched his self-deprecating tirades in the third hour of marathon matches as he entered his late 30s, it was starkly apparent. The joy of competition overtakes everyone. The drive to defy the skeptics and his physical limitations is endless. Results may not be in his control, but his uncanny ability to produce moments remains – a five-set comeback win at 4am here, a fierce elimination of a top-10 player there.
Murray, whose world No. 40 ranking has left him near the world rankings and ultimately at the mercy of the draw, is in for the most important part of the early days of this tournament. After facing a fellow Briton in the first round, he will now play the winner of the highly anticipated first-round match between seed 5 Stefanos Tsitsipas and 2020 US Open champion Dominic Thiem.
After a series of injuries, Tim is desperate to get back in shape. After a string of disappointing results, Tsitsipas will be out to prove he’s the real deal. They wouldn’t imagine playing against Murray – and the crowd – on Thursday. The Scotsman’s chances of going deep this fortnight may be slim, but he will have another chance to produce one of those moments, on the field where he delivered it most.
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