Carlos Alcaraz ended Andy Murray’s perfect record at the Vienna Open during his sole appearance at the tournament in 2021.
Alcaraz and Murray met twice on the ATP Tour, with the two icons of the sport sharing a win apiece in 2021.
The Spaniard defeated Murray at Indian Wells to ensure the first ATP 500 quarter-final of his career and he subsequently ended the Scot’s nine-match unbeaten streak at the tournament.
Murray won the tournament in 2014 and 2016, but only played the tournament for a third time in 2021.
His tournament ended in the second round against Alcaraz, who defeated the three-time Grand Slam champion in straight sets.
Carlos Alcaraz said beating Andy Murray was a ‘great feeling’
Alcaraz became the second youngest player to earn a win over Murray when he defeated the star at the Vienna Open and he was delighted with his victory.
“It’s a great feeling to play against Andy Murray and to beat him,” said Alcaraz on-court after the match. “He played really, really well but I’m really happy for the performance today.”
The star revealed what he had learned from his loss to Murray at Indian Wells earlier in the year, which went to three sets.
“Indian Wells was the first time I meet Andy Murray on court so now I knew a little bit more about Andy Murray on court, his game. I just tried to play aggressive, don’t let him play his game.”
Alcaraz reached the semi-final of the Vienna Open, but his tournament was ended at the hands of Alexander Zverev, who won the tournament.
Andy Murray sent a defiant message after losing to Carlos Alcaraz
Murray was still on the recovery trail from his hip surgery when he met Alcaraz at the Vienna Open, and he vowed to return to his best after losing to the Spaniard.
“I’m not going to keep losing in the second and third round of tournaments,” said Murray at the Vienna Open after losing to the future World No. 1.
“I will get better and I will improve and I will break through in one week, or two weeks, or a few months,” he added. “It will happen. I obviously would like it to be happening quicker than what it is.
“If I continue on that path and build up a little bit more consistency, be that little bit more clinical and a bit more ruthless, I will start winning more and have some deep runs, but it’s tough.”
Murray didn’t win a career tournament after losing to Alcaraz, but he did reach three further ATP finals at the Sydney International, the Stuttgart Open, and the Qatar Open.
