French Open Day 1: A resigned Andy Murray bids farewell to Paris
You could overhear a spectator guiding Murray late on in the third set. “Pick it up Andy, come on,” he said rousingly, moments before another ace whistled by and a slow, defeated dip of the Scot’s head followed.
Energetic, bruising matches have prised countless ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’ out of the buoyant French crowd as Stan Wawrinka and Andy Murray have gone toe-to-toe.
Their 2016 semi-final encounter saw Murray overcome the reigning champion to become the first Brit to reach the final since 1937. A year later, Wawrinka prevailed in a five-set epic – the brutal defeat that forced Murray into major career-saving surgery.
Sunday’s night-session brought together these two champions for their 23rd meeting, slightly greyer, much slower, and with three metal hips between them. A nostalgia-inducing opener for the Phillipe-Chatrier crowd to inhale, searching for glimpses of greatness from days past.
With this evening the second-oldest match-up to take place at the tournament this century, it was no surprise Murray looked slightly weary. The sighing, the puffing out of his cheeks. All the features we associate with the man Britain have bestowed such lofty expectations upon for over 15 years. Tonight was of course no different.
Enduring the sublime Wawrinka backhand, the charming grimace we’ve grown to love remained carefully and consistently poised on the 37-year-old’s face.
It was all over rather fast in the end. Murray, struggling to find the depth in his shots that have carried him with such commitment through his career, embraced his rival at the net within 2 ½ hours.
Naturally he gave it everything he could, played from the first point to the last, but it was not nearly enough. Wawrinka, playing in his 19th Roland Garros, peppered the baseline relentlessly and suitably sailed to a 6-4 6-4 6-2 win with a trademark backhand down the line.
“My first words were respect for a great champion,” Wawrinka said about the moving exchange the pair had at the net afterwards.
“I love watching him [Murray] play and fighting against him.”
The 39-year-old certainly hasn’t played particularly well of late, with tonight’s victory his first in five weeks. The controlled aggression allowed for some incredible shotmaking from the powerful shoulders of the Swiss.
Ten years ago, it might have been a statement win, a victory that would’ve had the bookies floundering. For a player currently struggling for form, beating the only person struggling for form more than you, the win doesn’t say all that much.
Having tonight become the oldest player to win a match in Paris since his compatriot Roger Federer did so three years ago, Wawrinka looks set to face a tougher Brit in the next round. Cam Norrie will provide a sterner test with the 32nd seed searching to reach beyond the third round for the first time.
But what lies ahead for Murray? With tonight likely a final farewell to Paris, he might expect to have some tough questions levelled at him – is it time to call it a day, hang up the rackets, give Judy time to watch whatever her other son is called?
Retirement is imminent with Wimbledon surely the last hurrah. His departure in front of the 14,000 or so fans was one of resignation. An accepting goodbye to a trophy that’s eluded Murray.
A far more tearful one awaits in a month’s time, with an underwhelming exit an inevitability for SW19’s worn out pin-up boy.