Three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray faces American Frances Tiafoe in the opening round of the 2021 European Open. Two years ago, Murray lifted the trophy in Antwerp, which marked his first title since undergoing hip surgery.

In 2016, Murray was at the pinnacle of men’s tennis. He won his second Olympic singles gold medal, the US Open, the ATP World Tour Finals, and ended the season as the No.1 ranked player for the first time in his career.

However, the following season, his troubles with the hip injury began. After undergoing two hip surgeries and missing two years on tour, Murray’s first title came at the 2019 European Open, where he defeated Stan Wawrinka in the final.

Therefore, ahead of the 2021 edition of the tournament, the Briton reflected on his title run two years ago and the immense toll it took on his body.

“It was obviously a bit unexpected at the time. I spoke a bit about it at the time, but I’d won maybe what would be considered bigger tournaments, but this was one of the hardest that I had to win in terms of everything that I’d went through and I put my body through to get to that point,” Murray said.

Andy Murray on 2019 European Open victory

Reminiscing the memories, Murray mentioned winning the tournament with a metal hip, and the tribulations he had gone through in the years preceding the event made the victory quite emotional.

“But to win a tournament at this level with a metal hip and everything that had gone into that in the previous years, it was a long road, so I have good memories from here,” said Murray.

The former World No.1 would play against Tiafoe for the third time in his career. The duo faced two months back in Winston-Salem, a match which Tiafoe won in straight sets. Overall, their head-t0-head is tied at 1-1.

If Murray gets past Tiafoe, he would face No.2 seed second seed Diego Schwartzman in the second round. Do you think Murray could do a repeat of 2019?

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