Murray ‘didn’t want to see’ Australian Open after being forced to miss iton February 22, 2021 at 6:12 pm

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

Andy Murray is not surprised by Novak Djokovic’s Australian Open win against younger opponent Daniil Medvedev.

Novak Djokovic wins the Australian Open title

British former world number one Murray said he watched virtually nothing of a tournament he was forced to miss after testing positive for Covid-19.

“I watched very little, I wanted to be there and it was a struggle,” he said.

“I stopped following all the tennis players I follow on social media because I just really didn’t want to see it.”

The 33-year-old expected Medvedev to push Djokovic closer in the final, but knows only too well how hard it is to beat the world number one in a Grand Slam final.

“It’s different standing to return or to serve in a Grand Slam final, than a quarter-final or a semi-final, when you are coming up against someone who’s won 17 of them,” he continued.

“It’s pretty intimidating and the younger guys have not shown that they are particularly close. At the US Open, (Dominic) Thiem did what he had to do to win the event, but if Novak hadn’t put a ball through the line judge’s throat, it would have been the same outcome, I think.”

Murray is competing at the South of France Open in Montpellier this week, in his first ATP Tour event for four months.

He began his season in Italy on the ATP Challenger Tour. He reached the final in Biella, but lost in straight sets to Ukraine’s Illya Marchenko.

“I actually felt fine on the finals day, and then when the match started I felt very heavy-legged and I didn’t deal with it well at all,” he said.

Around the BBC - SoundsAround the BBC footer - Sounds

- Advertisement -

Discover

Sponsor

Latest

Terrorists limited to two boxes of books in prison cellson April 30, 2023 at 7:35 pm

New rules on extremists in custody will also stop them from playing a "leading role" in religious services.New rules on extremists in custody will...

Covid: Record your cough to help improve detection, says governmenton August 13, 2021 at 2:02 pm

The government wants people to send in samples of themselves breathing, coughing and reading aloud.image sourceGetty ImagesPeople who have recently taken a Covid test...

Hosepipe ban: Millions more face restrictions as drought is declaredon August 12, 2022 at 1:18 pm

Large parts of southern, central and eastern England are affected, amid arid conditions across the UK.Image source, Getty ImagesMillions of people face hosepipe bans...

Verstappen seals title after Japanese Grand Prix winon October 9, 2022 at 8:36 am

Max Verstappen clinches a second title in extraordinary circumstances after dominating a Japanese Grand Prix truncated by heavy rain.Verstappen headed Sergio Perez in a...

Ambulance strike causing deep worry, say NHS bosseson December 21, 2022 at 4:47 am

Major disruption is likely as ministers warn the public to avoid contact sports and take extra care.Image source, Getty ImagesHealth bosses have warned they...