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Andy Murray Wimbledon

Long hard summer


“In a way I’m not disappointed,” said world No.2 Murray after his 1-6 6-4 4-6 6-1 7-5 loss to Kei Nishikori in the quarter-finals of the US Open.

The match lasted two minutes short of four hours and although the pair have met eight times previously and Murray had won on seven previous occasions it was the Japanese player who on Wednesday took the honours under the roof on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Murray was up a set and a break at the start of the match and had opportunities to go ahead in the fourth set, but was philosophical in defeat.

“I would have loved to have won, but I have had a good run every match. I would have loved to have gone further, but it wasn’t to be today,” he said. “But, you know, I have also won some over the last few months I should have lost,” citing his matches against Steve Johnson and Fabio Fognini at the Olympics, and against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at Wimbledon.

“You know, it happens sometimes,” he said, ” You win them. I have won a lot over the last few months, but couldn’t quite get it going my way today.”

Murray who was trying to get through to his fourth Grand Slam semi-final of the year, for the second time in his career, says he is pleased with how he has played this summer.

“You know, if someone had offered me the summer that I have had before Wimbledon, I probably would have signed for that,” he said.

He defeated Novak Djokovic to take his 12th ATP Masters titles at Rome. He also reached the ATP Masters 1000 final at Madrid and Cincinnati and lifted a record fifth Aegon Championships title at Queen’s. After winning his second Wimbledon Championship, the world No. 2 made history in Rio becoming he first player ever to win a second Olympic singles gold medal.

Next stop will be Glasgow for the Davis Cup semi-final against Argentina.

“I don’t know when I’ll go there,” he said. “I don’t know how many days off I’ll take or how much or when I’ll start practising up there. I’m due a few days off, and I’ll use them well, because I will need a lot of energy for that tie.”

On Wednesday Davis Cup captain Leon Smith announced his team of Andy and Jamie Murray, Dan Evans, Kyle Edmund and Dom Inglot. Argentinian captain Daniel Orsanic named Federico Delbonis, Guido Pella, Leonardo Mayer and Juan Martin Del Potro.

“Davis Cup does take a lot out of you over the weekend,” said Murray. “It’s tough, especially if you play all three days. You know, I’ll need to be smart the next few days to make sure that not only physically recover, but mentally, as well, because it’s always a stressful few days.”

In addition to the Davis Cup Andy and Jamie Murray will play an exhibition event with Gael Monfils and Tim Henman in Glasgow on September 21 at the SSE Hydro after the Davis Cup tie. The event has been set up by Andy Murray to help raise money for charity.

Murray said: “I pushed myself as hard as I could over the last few months, and I’m very proud of how I have done.”

 


Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.