Tennis

Frustrated Andy Murray ‘not enjoying’ tennis after Alex de Minaur loss – The Guardian


Andy Murray admitted he is not enjoying his tennis after suffering another disappointing defeat to Alex de Minaur in the first round of the Paris Masters.

Murray had lost all five previous matches against the Australian, including three this season, with the most recent coming in Beijing where the Briton failed to convert three match points.

The former world No 1 looked on course to end that run on Monday after recovering from losing the opening set tie-break to lead 5-2 in the decider.

However, Murray failed to win either of his next two service games – despite having a match point in the second – and the world No 13 prevailed 7-6 (5), 4-6, 7-5 in just over three hours.

Murray’s temper boiled over during the final set as he knocked the drinks bottles and towel off his bench during a change of ends before smashing his racket on the floor after the last point.

The disappointing run of form has left the 36-year-old two-time Wimbledon champion questioning what else he has to do to get back to winning ways.

“I’m not really enjoying it just now in terms of how I feel on the court and how I’m playing,” Murray said. “The last five, six months haven’t been that enjoyable, so I need to try to find some of that enjoyment back because playing a match like that there’s not much positivity there.

“When I play a good point, I’m not really getting behind myself and then, in the important moments, that will to win and fight that has always been quite a big, big part of my game … ”

skip past newsletter promotion