Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Australian Open 2023: 4am finishes in tennis a 'farce' says Andy Murray

Written by 
Published in Tennis
Thursday, 19 January 2023 13:00

Andy Murray says finishing his second-round match at the Australian Open at 4am was a "farce".

The 35-year-old's arduous five-set win over home favourite Thanasi Kokkinakis took over five hours 45 minutes.

That followed Murray's first-round victory on Tuesday, when the Briton sealed victory in four hours and 49 minutes against Italian Matteo Berrettini.

"I don't know who it's [the late finish] beneficial for," said Murray at the Rod Laver Arena after the match.

"We come here after the match and that's what the discussion is, rather than it being like, 'epic Murray-Kokkinakis match'. It ends in a bit of a farce.

"Amazingly people stayed until the end, and I really appreciate people doing that and creating an atmosphere for us. Some people obviously need to work the following day and everything."

Murray was two sets down and looked to be heading out of the competition before digging deep to defeat 25-year-old Kokkinakis, who is ranked 159th in the world, 4-6 6-7 (4-7) 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 7-5.

He will face Spanish 24th seed Roberto Bautista Agut in the third round.

The rowdy fans inside the venue were treated to a fine spectacle from both players - despite it approaching the six-hour mark - but Murray also highlighted another problem with overly-long matches.

"If my child was a ball kid for a tournament and they're coming home at five in the morning, as a parent, I'm snapping at that. It's not beneficial for them," said the three-time Slam winner.

"It's not beneficial for the umpires, the officials. I don't think it's amazing for the fans. It's not good for the players."

The match start time of 22:20 was also an issue, according to Murray.

"We talk about it all the time, and it's been spoken about for years," said the Scot. "But when you start the night matches late and have [cold] conditions like that, these things are going to happen."

Players can't compete 'into the wee hours of the morning'

Jamie Murray had to watch his younger brother's frustration boil over on court as Andy asked why he and Kokkinakis were "still playing at 3am" after the Scot lost a point.

Taking to Twitter,external-link the older Murray, 36, who is taking part in the men's doubles at the tournament, wrote: "Time for tennis to move to only one one match at the night sessions at Grand Slams.

"This is the best outcome for ALL singles players.

"We can't continue to have players compete into the wee hours of the morning. Rubbish for everyone involved - players/fans/event staff etc."

Jamie Murray's thoughts were echoed by 18-time Grand Slam singles champion Martina Navratilova, who wrote that the sport needs to find alternative solutions.

"It is essential we create better rules in tennis regarding the weather (light and wind) and starting times or cut-off times for matches," said the 66-year-old. external-link

"Murray and Kokkinakis will finish around 4am. Crazy - no other sport does this."

The issue of playing hours and late night tennis is a topic Andy Murray has raised before.

During Great Britain's Davis Cup defeat by the United States last year, the former word number one was on court with doubles partner Joe Salisbury until 01:00 GMT.

"It's something that tennis needs to sort of have a bit of a think about," Murray said then. "I don't think it looks that professional."

'We are seeing something truly incredible with Murray'

The fact that Murray has a metal hip and is 10 years older than Kokkinakis makes his win in Australia - the longest contest of his career - even more mesmerising.

"His fitness level at the moment is sublime," Amanda Owens, sports psychologist and former tennis player, told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"To hold intense focus, for over five hours and nearly 46 minutes, is tremendous - and the resilience that Murray shows...

"That was apparently his 11th match that he has come back from two sets down and that shows how determined he is and using these experiences to win matches.

"People can learn from this. It was absolutely incredible."

So, how on earth do Murray and other top professionals find a way to overcome the tiredness and power themselves to victory?

"Mentally, it's about believing and self-belief but also knowing the processes and knowing you can do it," says Owens. "Especially when you're under pressure at the critical point.

"That resilience grows with the amount of experience he's got with coming back from two sets down but it's something that one can learn - absolutely. And not just in sports, in life as well.

"But the determination and fortitude of Murray, I really think we are seeing something truly incredible here."

Read 127 times

Soccer

Miami defender Freire out for season with ACL

Miami defender Freire out for season with ACL

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsInter Miami CF defender Nicolás Freire is expected to miss the rema...

Salah vows to fight on at Liverpool amid exit talk

Salah vows to fight on at Liverpool amid exit talk

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMohamed Salah has given his strongest indication yet about his futu...

Sargent returns for USMNT's pre-Copa tuneups

Sargent returns for USMNT's pre-Copa tuneups

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsUnited States men's national team manager Gregg Berhalter has named...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Wemby, Holmgren headline NBA All-Rookie team

Wemby, Holmgren headline NBA All-Rookie team

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- The San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama was a unanimou...

NBA playoffs: What will decide Celtics-Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals

NBA playoffs: What will decide Celtics-Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsAfter the Indiana Pacers put together the best shooting performance...

Baseball

Lindor, back in Cleveland, most misses 'winning'

Lindor, back in Cleveland, most misses 'winning'

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCLEVELAND -- Three years later, Francisco Lindor finally came home....

Twins, with skid at 7, hold players-only meeting

Twins, with skid at 7, hold players-only meeting

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsWASHINGTON -- Eight days ago, the Minnesota Twins were baseball's h...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated