Andy Murray marks anniversary of heartbreaking 2019 Australian Open press conference with match win

Three years ago today, Andy Murray admitted that his career could be over ahead of the 2019 Australian Open.

Just before that Australian Open, on 11th January 2019, Murray broke down in tears during a tournament press conference as he explained that he could be close to retiring.

“I’ve been in a lot of pain for what’s been probably about 20 months now,” he said.

“I’ve pretty much done everything that I could to try and get my hip feeling better. And, you know, it hasn’t helped loads.”

 

He went on to lose a tough-fought five setter against Roberto Bautista Agut in the first round of the tournament.

Now, after multiple hip surgeries and rehabilitations, he is still fighting on the ATP tour and preparing to appear at the 2022 event, his first since 2019.

And, in stark contrast to this date three years ago, today the former world number one claimed his first victory in 2022 by defeating Viktor Durasovic of Norway 6-3, 6-1 to advance to the second round of the ATP 250 Sydney Tennis Classic.

Next up, the three-time Major winner will play Georgia’s Nikoloz Basilashvili, the tournament second seed.

The pair have played once before, in the first round of Wimbledon last year, where Murray won in four sets.

Come 17th January and the start of the Australian Open, Murray will make his 14th career appearance there after receiving a wildcard into the tournament.

The 34-year-old has never won the event in Melbourne, but reached the final five times in seven years between 2010 and 2016, losing once to Roger Federer in 2010 and four times to Novak Djokovic in 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2016.

 

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