The moment that broke Andy Murray: "I've never had that"
Andy Murray was sent to tears at the Australian Open on Monday night as the Melbourne Arena crowd gave him a standing ovation in what might be his last professional match.
The game was at 5-1 in the fifth set, and Murray was about to serve when the crowd showed their respect for the 31-year-old Brit.
The two-time Wimbledon champion responded by wiping his tears and raising his racket in appreciation. He went on to hold his serve, and the game soon ended with the 6-4 6-4 6-7 (7-5) 6-7 (7-4) 6-2 victory of Murray’s opponent, Roberto Bautista-Agut.
Murray receives a standing ovation from the crowd before he serves in the fifth set 🙏#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/cH27iOZc5K
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) 14 January 2019
"If this was my last match, it was an amazing way to end."
- Andy Murray 🙏#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/84qZiqau1C— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) 14 January 2019
In the post-match conference, Murray said he was “really appreciative” of the audience.
“I was emotional at that moment,” said Murray to reporters.
“It was cool. I don’t think I’ve had that before in any matches. I don’t know if when I came to serve at Wimbledon for Wimbledon, I don’t know if that happened. Look, it was brilliant.”
Murray said the match would make a great end to his 14-year career in tennis.
“I literally gave everything that I had on the court, fought as best as I could, and performed a lot better than what I should have done without the amount I’ve been able to practice and train, you know, whatever,” said Murray.
“I’d be OK with that being my last match.”
Murray is currently facing a dilemma between taking a surgery on his chronic hip injury or playing a farewell match at Wimbledon in July.
“Having an operation like that, there’s absolutely no guarantees I’d be able to play again,” said Murray.
“That is the decision that I have to make. It will improve my quality of life, I’ll be in less pain doing normal things like walking around and putting your shoes on.”