The word retirement is no longer part of his vocabulary.
“
I always get asked 'is this your last Wimbledon, your last match?” No!
I will continue to play.
I want to play.
I like this.
I can always evolve at the highest level.
He
(Basilashvili)
is ranked in the top 30 in the world and although I only played a few games, I beat him.
So I continue!
Like a Phoenix rising from the ashes, the ghost knocked out the No. 24 seed Nikoloz Basilashvili on Monday in four sets.
After having led 6-4, 6-3, 5-0, the Scotsman began to play small arm by conceding seven consecutive games, before controlling his nerves to win (6-4, 6-3 , 5-7, 6-3) and play this Wednesday in the second round.
The national hero was entitled to a standing ovation upon his arrival on the court.
Then it was a standing ovation when it came out under the roof of the central and the spotlight to greet this winning return on its blessed lawn.
It had been four years and two right hip operations since the former world number one had played singles at Church Road (loss in the quarterfinals in 2017).
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Eaten away by pain
The 118th player has clearly not regained his former power and his movements are still hesitant. Its science of playing on grass and its resilience are its main assets. “
I have confidence in my competitive instinct, it's one of my great strengths. I haven't lost it yet. When he is gone, it will probably be the time to stop.
"
The man with 46 ATP titles, including 3 Grand Slam titles (US 2012, Wimbledon 2013 and 2016), has collected injuries for four years. Gnawed by hip pain for two years, the Scotsman, tested, had even told of his ordeal and his desire to put an end to his career, after an elimination in the second round of the Open d ' Australia 2019. Tears had flowed. They have dried up. Sir Andy Murray seems to want to continue the pleasure despite his bruised right hip and the glitches that accumulate. A bruise on his pelvic bone had upset him in 2020, the year in which he played only 7 games (a victory over Alexander Zverev in Cincinnati as a clearing). Wimbledon winner in 1987, Patrick Cash warned the Scotsman about the risks he was taking to his health in an interview with
Daily Express
: “
For me, it's a mystery that Murray doesn't put his racket away and is enjoying life.
"
Still alive, still standing.
At the service of the game. World number one at the end of the 2016 season, double Olympic champion, the Scotsman is not the most spectacular player in history, but a formidable champion by his science of the game and his coverage ground.
The Briton has stood up to the three best players in history (Nadal, Djokovic, Federer) for ten years.
The English press even integrated him into the Big 4 clan. An honor far from being stolen.
Results 1st round: Schwartzman (Arg) beats Paire (Fra) 6-3, 6-4, 6-0;
Zverev (All) beats Griekspoor (PB) 6-3, 6-4, 6-1;
Federer (Sui) beats Mannarino (Fra) 6-4, 6-7, 3-6, 6-2, ab.