Tennis legend Andy Murray says there is a “definite possibility” he has departed the Australian Open for good, after waving an emotional goodbye to fans after a straight-sets loss in the first round on Monday.
The 36-year-old was infamously ‘retired’ by tournament organisers in 2019, only to prove them wrong by undergoing hip surgery before returning to the court just months later.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Andy Murray waves a cryptic goodbye to Australian Open fans.
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He would not play again in Melbourne until 2022 but such was his recovery that he has reached four ATP finals, winning one title, while also making it back into the world’s top 50.
Now, though, Murray is closer than ever to the finish line and a genuine goodbye to Australia.
The three-time grand slam champion saved one match point before a forehand into the net wrapped up 30th seed Tomas Martin Etcheverry’s 6-4 6-2 6-2 victory.
“Is this the last time we’ll see Andy here in Australia? It very well could be,” Roger Rasheed said in commentary.
“That wasn’t the Andy that we all know and we all love and that we have all enjoyed the ride and the journey. It was difficult to watch what was being put out on the court, but what a competitor.”
Murray shared a warm embrace with Etcheverry and slowly packed his bag before acknowledging the crowd as he left the court to a standing ovation.
“You can read into that what you will. We have been here before, to be honest, but time is definitely ticking,” Rasheed’s commentary partner Nick Lester said.
Fans lined the gates outside Kia Arena before the match and many hung around, largely without a hope, desperate to snare a seat inside the packed 5000-seat show court.
And while it wasn’t a performance to savour those punters who did witness it will now leave Melbourne Park with a life-long memory.
“Definitely a possibility that will be the last time I play here,” Murray confirmed in his press conference.
Etcheverry, a French Open quarter-finalist last year, paid tribute to the Scottish icon in his on-court interview.
“It was an incredible match for me. It’s very tough with a legend like Andy. He’s one of my idols,” the Argentine said.
Etcheverry will face French veteran Gael Monfils in the second round, with the winner of that encounter to face world No.1 Novak Djokovic or Australia’s Alexei Popyrin.
Popyrin, 24, defeated countryman Marc Polmans on Monday to book the high-profile meeting with Djokovic.
But, as best he can, he is treating the 10-time champion as just another player.
“I don’t want to go in there just thinking, ‘Oh, he’s probably the greatest of all time and all that’. I admire what he’s done. He probably is the greatest of all time,” Popyrin said.
“But there is no point going into the court if I don’t believe that I can.
“I need to have that confidence going in and the belief going in that I can win the match and that he is just the world No.1, and he is just another player for me on the opposite side of the net.
“I need to focus what I have to do on the court. I have big weapons in my game that I believe can do some damage.”
Popyrin lost his only previous encounter with Djokovic in straight sets in Tokyo — a long time ago.
“I played him when I was 19 years old,” the underdog said.
“I just broke the top 100 when I played him, qualified for that tournament. I remember that I was physically just not up to par to him.
“Now I’m 24 years old, five years later, a bit more experienced, bit more mature, a bit physically stronger. I would say much more physically stronger.
“I’ve improved since then. Looking forward to going out there and we’ll see what I can bring.”
– with AAP