Andy Murray withdrew from Madrid and there will be no classic against Djokovic

Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray built a rivalry exceptional on the circuit since 2006 which was then frustrated by the Scotsman’s hip injuries. However, after a handful of wins each this week, the Masters 1000 de Madrid He was preparing for a festive Thursday, since the number 1 and the British (ranking leader in 2016) would face each other for the first time after five years (since the 2017 Doha ATP final). But the duel, sadly, was cut short.

Murray (78th in the world; he competed in the tournament after receiving an invitation to the main draw) had achieved two valuable victories (against the Austrian Dominic Thiem and the Canadian Denis Shapovalov), but did not appear in the match against Djokovic due to “illness”, according to the official statement. Later, the Spaniard Feliciano López, currently 114th in the ranking and also director of the tournament that takes place in the Caja Mágica in Madrid, expanded on the British medium Sportsmail: “Yesterday I got a message from Andy that he wasn’t feeling well. had food poisoninglooks like he’s feeling better this morning, but he’s not well enough to go on court yet.”

“We have had so many great battles over the years in some of the biggest tournaments in the world. We played in the final, I think all four Grand Slams and I haven’t had a chance to play him for a long time. He didn’t know if he ever would. I will have that opportunity, so I will enjoy it, I will have a fantastic attitude in the game, ”Murray had hoped after beating Shapovalov. In fact, the double Wimbledon champion had made a joke when asked how many chances he had of defeating Nole on the Spanish brick dust: “In theory, you shouldn’t have a chance. He is number 1 in the world and I have a metal hip [refiriéndose al implante que tiene en esa zona de su cuerpo]”.

The Madrid public (and tennis fans in general) were delighted to watch live another chapter of a great classic between two of the members of the Big 4. Djokovic leads the record against Murray by 25 to 11. But the frustration invaded everyone this morning with the news. According to dailymail.co.uk, Murray was unable to leave his hotel room yesterday after his victory over Shapovalov.

With this new scenario, Murray will have to decide if he continues with his original plan to play this weekend qualifying for the Italian Open in Rome. At the moment he does not plan to play at Roland Garros, although he must have strengthened his spirits with his good performances in Madrid.

His presence in the main draw of the Mutua Madrid Open (as well as that of Frenchman Lucas Pouille, currently 174th) had been questioned, in a certain way, by the Spanish tennis player Ferdinand Verdascowho complained about not receiving an invitation to the tournament and targeted the organization. “I am the best player that Madrid has had for 17 years (…) The tournament has not granted me the invitation when I most needed it. Pouille is a great friend of mine and he has gotten the invitation. The organization of the Paris Bercy tournament would never give me a WC instead of a French venue.”

Beyond Verdasco’s complaint, the public highly appreciates seeing Murray compete after being almost retired. “Having Andy still racing is great. To have him play at a high level as time goes on is impressive, considering the (hip) surgery and what he’s been through in the last couple of years. His endurance and fighting spirit are truly inspiring.”Djokovic had expressed, who in this way advanced to the quarterfinals without competing (waiting for the winner of the clash between the Pole Hubert Hurkacz and the Serbian Dusan Lajovic).

Diego Schwartzmannumber 15 in the world and seeded 13th in Madrid, suffered a heavy defeat in the second round of the contest. The Argentine fell 6-0 and 6-3 against the Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov (20°), in only one hour and nine minutes.

The player trained by Juan Ignacio Chela and Alejandro Fabbri, who had defeated the Frenchman Benoit Paire in the first round, committed five double faults, achieved 63% of first serves, won just 44% of points with the first serve and 35 % with the second. Dimitrov, trained by Argentine Dante Bottini, broke his serve five times.

It was a painful performance in Madrid by Schwartzman, who so far this season had been having valuable performances on clay, with the finals in Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro, the quarterfinals in Monte Carlo and the semifinals in Barcelona. . That is why the loose result made noise. The next challenge of the porteño will be the Masters 1000 in Rome.