Tennis: Andy Murray is one of those characters who make us love sport

Virginie Phulpin 07:25, January 20, 2022

In a few minutes, in Melbourne, Andy Murray will enter the court at the Australian Open. The Scot takes on Japan's Taro Daniel in the second round. Andy Murray is one of those characters who make us love the sport.

How to remain indifferent to Andy Murray? If only because every shot he plays on a tennis court is a small miracle in itself. We're dealing with someone who moves around with a metal hip. And who can still fight like a British lion for 5 hours if necessary. Who would have bet on that three years ago, when he left the Australian Open after a first-round defeat and broke down in tears to announce the probable end of his career? Anybody. His hip was hurting him too much, might as well stop. After all, he had had a magnificent career. Little appreciated at the start, too grumpy on the courts, with a boring game, the antithesis of the magic of the Nadal Federer Djokovic trio. May be,but he still managed to push the other three a bit to become world number 1 for a few weeks. He gave the British some pride by winning Wimbledon in 2013, which none of his compatriots had managed since Fred Perry in 1936. Today Andy Murray is far from these heights. He is 113th in the world, present in Melbourne thanks to a wild card, an invitation. And he won't win the tournament. But at 34, with his bionic hip, he's taking a career break, just for fun. His, and ours. And that's what makes the story so beautiful.present in Melbourne thanks to a wild card, an invitation. And he won't win the tournament. But at 34, with his bionic hip, he's taking a career break, just for fun. His, and ours. And that's what makes the story so beautiful.present in Melbourne thanks to a wild card, an invitation. And he won't win the tournament. But at 34, with his bionic hip, he's taking a career break, just for fun. His, and ours. And that's what makes the story so beautiful. 

Andy Murray enjoys every moment on the court as if it were the last

When you come back from nowhere, that you have nothing more to prove to anyone but yourself, it makes you a philosopher. Might as well enjoy. Andy Murray is a little life lesson in every game. His own, and those of others. Because he is greedy, he watches everything. Two days ago he marveled in public at the performance of Naomi Osaka. Because he knows where the player came from in the grip of depression last season. Because it doesn't differentiate between male and female players either. Andy Murray is all of Britain in one person. The humor is deadpan, of course. With a good dose of self-mockery on each outing, even in an ugly Christmas sweater. The pride of a Scotsman who doesn't want to be fooled by the English. And then the fighting spirit, of course.The one who made him play again after 5 sets in the first round of this Australian Open. And it can start again this morning. Every game can be the last. But Andy Murray teaches us every day to believe in miracles. What more ?