Andy Murray’s limp French Open exit was a blessing in disguise

 

Stan Wawrinka handed Murray a pasting at Roland Garros that may help save him from himself

ROLAND GARROS Whether Andy Murray had tears in his eyes when he exited Court Philippe Chatrier on Sunday night was a topic of discussion.

 

 

 

 

If he did, it might have been out of regret for what appears to have been his final French Open, but it might also have been humiliation following Stan Wawrinka’s, to put it mildly, drubbing.

That’s not a huge disgrace because Wawrinka is a three-time grand slam champion just like him. But he’s a shadow of the man he used to be, just like Murray. The victor of the 2015 French Open will turn 40 in March and hasn’t advanced past the quarterfinals of a grand slam since he was closer to 30.

The fact that Murray, who is two years younger than his opponent, has lost ground and faded more quickly than another direct contemporary—they met over 20 years ago and this was their 23rd meeting overall—may have been the most devastating aspect of his defeat. Though Wawrinka has usually had the advantage on clay, Murray has won 13 of them.

Murray’s career has mostly failed due to the surface, despite the fact that he is still the most successful man in Britain on the surface, the first to reach the French Open final since the war, and fourth all-time in match wins at Roland Garros during the Open period.

He has done fairly well for someone who does not consider himself a clay-court expert. Perhaps Wawrinka’s humiliating loss will deter him from returning. All this loss did was remind him of things that are difficult now, and in some situations have always been difficult. He has nothing left to prove on Parisian clay.

“It’s not easy for me to play tennis physically these days,” Murray remarked afterwards.

It is difficult, and I have experienced back problems working with clay from the start of my profession. To be honest, I’m kind of accustomed to it.

In the third set, his serve times decreased and he even began to clearly “hurple,” to use a Scots term that doesn’t quite mean limp.

However, he maintained his confidence in playing doubles with Dan Evans and was hopeful about some lenient scheduling that would give him three or four days to get ready for the first round.

At most, two rounds would be won by Murray and Evans. It would be foolish for them to stay in Paris any longer to play a format that is not important to either of them.

When the grass-court swing has not gone his way in the past, Murray has been the most irate. After losing to John Isner at Wimbledon in 2022, he nearly immediately announced his retirement and even made an unexpected appearance at the Newport post-SW19 grass tournament.

This has much more significance today as it’s likely his final dance on the lawn.

Thus, even though going back to England would make the most sense, it would be better to prepare for doubles for a few leisurely days rather than grinding through more singles matches, playing almost every day, and having little time off for his body to heal.

“I’m fully aware that my body has changed over the past ten years,” Murray continued.

To put it in a position where it can compete, a lot of time and work must be invested. Things aren’t always ideal.

“Nevertheless, I still enjoy trying it out and trying to put myself out there and, yeah, be as competitive as possible because it is what it is.”

His sentiments echo the same feelings he had after taking home two Challenger titles this summer—victories that, ten years ago, would have meant nothing. As much as anything, Murray is playing against himself because the goalposts have shifted.

“We’re getting closer to the end,” Wawrinka said, alluding to the fact that he and Murray were getting older together and that their encounter at Roland Garros was the second-oldest in the previous 50 years.

Murray seems to find it harder to stop the closer we go. However, he will realize that Sunday night was not if he wants to be competitive, and it might even save him from himself.

This ought to be his last French Open, even if it’s not, in some way, his last summer. There’s nothing more to add, and nothing to prove. We are bidding the tournament a heartfelt farewell, not bien revoir.