Following his devastating first-round loss to Australian Alex de Minaur at the Paris Masters, Andy Murray has declared that he is “not enjoying” his game.
The world number thirteen, whom the 36-year-old has never defeated in six confrontations, defeated him 7-6 (7-5) 4-6 7-5.
In yet another intense battle that lasted little longer than three hours, Murray served twice for the victory and failed to convert match point.
“I’m not really enjoying it just now in terms of how I feel on the court and how I’m playing,” remarked Murray.
“Playing a match like that, there’s not much optimism there, so I need to try and bring some of that fun back because the last five or six months haven’t been that great.
“I try not to let it consume me too much when I execute a strong play. But it’s in those pivotal times that my fierce will to succeed and the perseverance that has always been a key component of my game really come into play,” he continued.
During his match against De Minaur, Murray became extremely irritated and uncharacteristically smashed his racket twice. Sadly, the Scottish player has struggled at the Paris Masters ever since losing this tournament in 2016. He hasn’t won since that historic victory in 2016.
Murray did not make any suggestions about thinking about retiring, even in light of the obvious disappointment and criticism resulting from the most recent performance. He did, however, openly admit that if he wants to continue playing tennis, he will need to put in a lot of work up front. “It’s not a matter of a quick two-week training regimen; it’s about committing to sustained and diligent work to give myself a fighting chance,” he said.
Murray, who has dropped five of his past six games, lost to De Minaur in Beijing last month after failing to convert three match points; this latest setback in Paris is his fourth this year versus the 24-year-old.
His opponent narrowly prevailed in a tie-break after saving set points in the opening set.
In the second set, Murray bounced back with a more confident effort, broke in the ninth game to tie the match and force a deciding.
Murray’s record against De Minaur this year also includes losses at Queen’s and Monte Carlo, but after suffering a double break up in the decisive set, it appeared as though the former world number one may end that losing run.
He gave De Minaur a break-point opportunity to tie the game at 5-5, but he wasted match point at 5-4 with a long return, smashing his racket on the ground in frustration.
Murray lost patience quickly as he threw the water bottles and towel off his bench, lost both of his subsequent service games, and wasted chances to send the match into a final set tie-break.
As he hit a return into the net, he once more smashed his racquet on the ground, and De Minaur finished with a victory.
Cameron Norrie, a fellow Brit, was forced to withdraw from the competition due to a knee injury, but he should be well enough to play in the Davis Cup Finals on November 23.