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If anyone can understand how carefully Roger Federer treats his body, it is Andy Murray. That is why the Swiss is still a great role model for him.
At the Queen’s Club, Andy Murray recently announced in tears how much he still cares about every match he can play on the professional tour. The emotional interview was preceded by a win against Benoit Paire. Later he failed because of Matteo Berrettini.
The Scot has had a long history of suffering. In February 2019, he had an operation on his right hip. After further interventions, he returned to the professional tour six months later with an artificial hip joint. A brilliant comeback, which he even celebrated with the tournament victory in Antwerp against Stan Wawrinka.
Then there were some setbacks, mostly because of his hip. In the world rankings, he slipped to 119th place. After all, the organizers awarded him a wildcard for Wimbledon. A small act of compassion that Andy Murray otherwise prefers to do without.
Role model and wildcard hoarder
In a recent interview with the London Guardian, Murray said, “Don’t be sad for me! I like to do this. It is my choice. Nobody forces me to play. “
Murray plays because he just loves it. And he is also firmly convinced that he can still keep up with the best in the world: “I’ve shown that again and again in training over the last six or seven months. You are welcome to ask the other players. My level is still good. The body just has to play along. “
The body doesn’t just have to play along, Andy Murray still has to get used to the new mechanics. Because of the artificial joint, the hip now has to deal with completely different loads. The surrounding tendons and muscles are also more sensitive.
For many players and fans, Murray has also become a role model through this strong will. However, there are also negative voices, such as that of Mats Wilander, who advises him to end his career, because otherwise he would only take away the wild cards from young aspiring players.
Federer as a fellow sufferer
With Roger Federer, Andy Murray has had a kind of fellow sufferer since this year. The Swiss had two knee operations in the Corona year. Although Federer does not depend on an artificial joint, it has become all the more important for him to listen to the feedback from his body. Just like last in Paris, when he declared forfait before his round of 16 and had to take criticism for it.
Murray, however, immediately defended the Swiss. He spoke of a sensible decision and continued: “I would argue that it is quite risky to play several four-hour matches in a row in the second tournament for 18 months. So it makes sense for me to react to how the body feels and how long the matches last. “
In general, Murray is impressed with how Federer is handling the situation. “To see Federer playing in an empty stadium at 39 after two knee operations and pushing himself at half past one in the morning is an inspiration for me. Do what you love. “
The love of tennis continues to drive the two of them. And since belief can also move mountains, the two former Wimbledon winners can still be expected to do a lot this year. But the two could meet in the first round instead of in the semi-finals or finals as before. Friday’s draw will tell.
