The “comeback king” with the big fighting heart

“I have a big heart,” said the Scot about his enormous fighting qualities. When the on-court interviewer suggested that everything about him was certainly great, Murray quipped, "I'm not sure my wife would agree..."

But what everyone agrees on is that Murray should never be written off. Never. In the second round match at the Australian Open in Melbourne against the Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis, the 35-year-old turned a 0-2 set deficit into a victory for the eleventh (!) time in his eventful career. And not in any way, but historically. In the third set he was already 2:5 behind and a quick end was in the air. But then the three-time Grand Slam tournament winner flipped the switch. 4:6, 6:7 (4:7), 7:6 (7:5), 6:3, 7:5 – at 4.05:XNUMX a.m. on Friday morning (local time) the man who had been declared dead in sports cheered. Like so many times in his career.

The man for long matches "It's ridiculously late," said Murray, looking at the clock, "I think we should all get to bed now." The former world number one really deserved his sleep. After the two-time Olympic champion had already fought his way through five sets at the start against the Italian Matteo Berrettini, he now delivered his personally longest match of 5:45 hours and the second longest match in the tournament's history.

Andy Murray and Thanasi Kokkinakis had an epic match. © APA/afp / WILLIAM WEST

“It's unbelievable,” said Murray. His “love of the game, competition and respect” would never let him give up. That's why he returned to the pitch after his hip operation and tearful resignation in 2019. "The fact that I can still compete with the best players in the world despite having a metal hip is something I'm proud of," the Brit, who was knighted four years ago, once said: "I want to achieve this fairytale scenario so that it says: ' Can he do it again? Is this possible?'".

Grumpy Murray The Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut, seeded number 24, is the next opponent in Melbourne in the third round on Saturday. Murray has already reached the final of the first Grand Slam tournament of the year five times, most recently seven years ago. Murray, who is coached by tennis icon Ivan Lendl, will fight for his chance until the last point. “I love leaving my heart on the pitch and showing emotions. I've been criticized a lot for this over the years. But that’s who I am.” And that’s how the fans love him.

Murray knows that he often comes across as grumpy during games. But you shouldn't let that fool you. “I realize that I don't necessarily look happy when I'm playing,” he said, “but that's when I'm the happiest inside.”

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The “comeback king” with the big fighting heart

After his spectacular match for the ages, the “comeback king” Sir Andy Murray thrilled the tennis fans with British humor shortly before sunrise.

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