- I'm tired, my big toes are damaged, says the run-down Murray in Eurosport's broadcast.
He rattled towards the end but pulled himself together and ended the match by getting a lob that Nishioka could not keep inside the court.
It was a strange feeling to see Murray stand alone with the emotions and be met by the silence of an empty Arthur Ashe stadium that seats 23771 people.
It is in New York that the loudest Grand Slam audience is found.
- I had to hit the ball better and took a chance.
Gave everything.
I found the balance and served well towards the end.
It was a couple of changes that paid off, says Murray, who emptied himself completely.
Anyone who saw Murray gasp for breath and stumble out of the arena has a hard time believing that he will be able to play high-level tennis again - in two days.
"Is there an emergency room"
- In the locker room we have a room for emergencies, Murray jokes and continues:
- Now I have to go to the hotel as quickly as possible to be able to rest up, Murray says after 4.39 on the track.
Nishioka had several chances to decide the match in the fourth set, including a match ball, and made simple mistakes in the dramatic end.
The last time Andy Murray played a Grand Slam was in Australia in January 2019. After the loss in the first round against Roberto Bautista Agut in five sets, he was thanked for his brilliant career with a video.
He himself did not think it would be a continuation after long-term hip problems with several operations.
20 months later, he is in the second round of the US Open, a journey against all odds.