Andy Murray on Novak Djokovic clash: ‘He’s world number one and I have a metal hip’
Andy Murray beat Denis Shapovalov to set up a clash with Novak Djokovic before saying he ‘should not have a chance’ of winning it in theory.
Murray was close to his very best at times against Shapovalov, as he recovered from a mid-match drop in energy to win 6-1, 3-6, 6-2.
It was the first time I since before the Australian Open that Murray has won back-to-back matches and the positives were clear given how supremely well he was moving during the contest.
He will now face world number one Novak Djokovic for the first time in five years, and he is relishing his status as the underdog.
“In theory I should have no chance in the match,” Andy Murray said.
“He’s obviously number one in the world [and] I’m playing with a metal hip, so I shouldn’t have a chance in the match.
“It’s a great opportunity for me to see where my game’s at and to play against him again.
”We’ve had so many great battles over the years in some of the biggest tournaments in the world.
“We played in the final I think of all four Grand Slams, we played here in the final, and I haven’t had that opportunity to play against him for a long time.
“Didn’t know if I ever would get that chance, so I’ll enjoy it, I’ll have a fantastic attitude in the match, give it my best and see where I’m at.”
“He’s World No.1 and I’ve got a metal hip” 🤣@andy_murray #MMOPEN pic.twitter.com/m3HJJwDZ2s
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) May 3, 2022
Murray also analysed his own game against Shapovalov, and he put it down to one key element that has improved immeasurably this year.
“I trained very hard the past four or five weeks and got my game in good shape,” Murray explained.
“My movement has been so much better than where it was at the beginning of the year and it makes a huge difference to my whole game.
“It allows me to make different decisions on the court.
”My movement won me that match tonight, I defended so many points.
“He has so much power and I managed to defend lots of points and that won the match for me, so I was really happy with that.”
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