Andy Murray: Top Six Australian Open Moments

Published 01/11/2019, 9:55 AM EST

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The ATP fraternity of tennis has been shuddered by Andy Murray’s announcement earlier today. The first British man to accomplish two Wimbledon titles since Fred Perry in 1936, Murray emotionally notified about his departure from professional tennis. The Briton would ideally put an end to his scintillating career on the grass of his domicile this year.

Murray was born to a woman who shaped the present scenario of British tennis on the international platform, Judy Murray. Despite being a three-time Grand Slam champion, Murray has won two Olympic gold medals and has reached the Australian Open final five times in his career. Also, he was a crucial player for the 2015 Davis Cup team of Great Britain and aided his nation to win the title for the first time since 1936. 

The premier slam of the year is just around the corner, and here are some instances of the Scotsman, Murray from the Australian Open which moved all the tennis fans globally.

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6. AO 2006: Getting underway with the future rival

Thirteen years ago, the tennis greats of today, Murray and Djokovic teamed up to play a doubles event in the 2006 Australian Open. Back then, the 18-year-old Murray was World Number 62. The 17 Grand Slams of today were playing on the same side of the court in January 2006, and they had fallen 7-6(5) 6-3 to Fabrice Santoro and Nenad Zimonjic.

5. AO 2012: The semifinal against Djokovic

The two of the ‘Big Four’ battled on the Rod Laver Arena for almost five hours on a Friday evening.  The warriors were brawling to reverse a place in the final showdown and collectively faced 50 break points in the match. Andy lost 6-3 3-6 6-7 (4-7) 6-1 7-5 to the Serbian, later Djokovic claimed the match to be one of the best matches of his career.

4. AO 2010: Murray pummelled one of the three greatest shots of the tournament

Murray was playing his semifinal of the Melbourne major against Marin Cilic. After the ATP men tussled on the court for three long hours, the Brit battled past Cilic 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 to reach his first Australian Open final. In addition to that, he left the Rod Laver Arena dumbstruck by slamming a magnificent winner on the Croat’s court.

“Honestly,” he said later, “I actually practise this shot quite a lot in training. I never realised my mouth is so big. It was a great shot. I managed to turn it in.”

3. AO 2016: Pregnant wife, an ill father-in-law, still managed to reach the finals at the Melbourne major

After playing a toilsome five-setter match against the Canadian, Milos Raonic, Djokovic had dismissed Andy for the fourth time to win the title at the Rod Laver Arena. Back home his wife, Kim Sears was expecting a baby was and the arrival of their first child could be anytime. “To my wife Kim who is going to be watching back home,” said Murray. “You’ve been a legend for all your support. I’ll be on the next flight home.”

Murray’s father-in-law, Nigel Sears, who is also a tennis coach, fell down on the stands of the Margaret Court Arena during the 2016 Australian Open. He was watching his student Ana Ivanovic’s match against Madison Keys. It was an emotionally profound period in Murray’s career where his loved ones needed him the most but he couldn’t do his best to help them. On top of all this, he was the second best player of the tournament.

2. AO 2015: Amelie Mauresmo was Murray’s coach

The Scot has been winning hearts with the wizardry his does with his racquet, besides that his post-match interviews did move the people.  He trained under the French professional tennis player, Amelie Mauresmo from 2014 to 2016. In 2015, right after his semi-final victory over Thomas Berdych in Melbourne, he poured out his gratitude and impression towards women which gained him love and respect from all over the world. Despite all his achievements, the Scottish man identifies himself as a feminist.

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1. AO 2010: Murray losses to Federer in the final

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It was a tough time for Murray as he netted the ball on the championship point during his first final in Melbourne. The pink-eyed Briton referred to Federer and lamented, “I can cry like him, it’s just a shame I can’t play like him”.

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Written by:

Mahalakshmi Murali

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Mahalakshmi Murali joined EssentiallySports in 2018 as a tennis author and has gone on to pen more than 1800 engaging articles, probing into various aspects of the sport and its illustrious players. With her expertise on the sport, Mahalakshmi has interviewed stalwarts from the sport such as Serena WIlliams’ coach Patrick Mouratoglou and Kevin Anderson’s physio, Carlos Costa. Equipped with her vast experience and a keen understanding of the sport, Mahalakshmi now co-heads the tennis department.
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