Andy Murray, who announced his plans to retire from tennis in 2019, will kick off his last-ever Australian Open against Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut, while Marin Cilic takes on perennial Aussie bad boy Bernard Tomic on Monday.
(22) Roberto Bautista Agut vs. Andy Murray
In a tearful pre-Australian Open press conference, Murray announced that he will be retiring from professional tennis in 2019–with the goal to play a final Wimbledon before bidding goodbye to the sport (but not guaranteeing it). Thus, any match in which Murray is involved could well be his last and is worth watching for that reason alone.
The draw gods did not smile on Murray in his last Aussie Open. Bautista Agut, a late bloomer if there ever was one, comes into Melbourne off the tournament of his life in Doha a week ago. On his way to the title, the Spaniard dispatched Stanislas Wawrinka, Novak Djokovic, and Tomas Berdych.
Nostalgia calls for a tip in Murray’s direction, but with the Scot playing in constant pain and Bautista Agut’s excellent form, anything other than a straight-set victory for RBA would be a surprise.
Cheryl pick: Bautista Agut in 3
Ricky pick: Bautista Agut in 4
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(6) Marin Cilic vs. Bernard Tomic
No. 6 seed and 2018 Aussie Open finalist Cilic will take on Australia’s Tomic in his Melbourne opener. The Croat, who rarely seems to be a contender Down Under, took 2018 champion Roger Federer to five sets before eventually falling 6-1 in the fifth. Cilic reached the quarters at both Roland Garros and the U.S. Open, making him one of the more consistent players of 2018.
His first-round opponent is the oft-criticized Tomic, an Aussie known as much for his poor behavior and lack of effort than for his prowess on court. Lately, the he has shown some signs of life–coming through qualifying at the event in Chengdu to capture his first title since 2015.
Tomic has been known to surprise fans and opponents alike with occasional flashes of brilliance, but a veteran like Cilic knows how to get the job done on the biggest stages.
Cheryl pick: Cilic in 4
Ricky pick: Cilic in 3
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Sad last match for Andy if it is indeed his last match. RBA in 4.
Cilic in 3.
I really hope he can make one final appearance at Wimbledon. But if he’s still in pain, it means he hasn’t healed properly, and I’d hate to think him doing further damage to himself by pushing too hard. The guy is 31 years old – he has a lot of life left to live.
It means the surgery did not fix the problem. The surgeon said he did the best he could but the hip was just too bad for the procedure to fix it. Andy really needs a “resurfacing” (I believe that’s kinder word for a replacement, but resurface is what is actually done). His problem is that probably would not allow him to play tennis at the level at which he wants to play.
I don’t know of any player that has come back to a really high level following hip surgery. I’d hoped Andy would be the first. I’m sure he gave it his best shot.
I always think of Guga when a player has hip trouble. I think he was 31 when he was forced to retire, also.
Very sad about Andy, and tough draw in RBA….RBA in 3….Cilic in 3.
So hard to watch. Like watching old Fido go to the vet for the last time.
There’s the 3rd set break. At least no bagels.
Go on, Muzz, fight to the last. No sooner do I write than …
Wow, that was for the fans – a glimpse of vintage muzz to break back and bring Judy and Jamie to their feet.
Go Andy!!!!
Wasn’t expecting 5 sets. Andy putting in a good effort.
Murray fought with everything he had to the very last, never giving up. He is, without any doubt, one of the greats of all time! He will be missed, most definitely. Being one of the 4 greatest players of his era for over a decade has never been achieved before and he was a worthy member of that select group of players who regularly made the last 4 in every tournament they entered.
I hope he gets his hip sorted out so that he can enjoy a good quality of life from here. So sad for him that it has to end like this.
I think Andy was pleasantly surprised by his level. He did hold the door open a bit about trying to come back after his hip surgery – if I understood his post match interview correctly.
Anyway, grats to RBA. Not an easy match to win.
Is there a possibility for Murray to go treat his hips (be it surgery or whatever necessary) and then rest as long as necessary, and then starts afresh with his tennis career again?
I mean his skills set is all there, his talents and desires, why not give it a try when he’s only 31 now? I mean if he enjoys the competition, why not? Berdych is 33 going on 34, he’s still very enthusiastic when coming back from injury. Who knows, many players are looking to extend their tennis career well into their mid to late 30s – the likes of Stan, Berdych, Tsonga, who are all coming back from injuries; not to mention Rafa, Monfils, Djoko and Delpo too. And, Anderson and Isner who are both in their 30s too and going strong, so there’s still time for Murray if he can do something to treat his hips.
I know Murray’s may be more serious problem but with the latest technology available, there may be hope for his hips. It’s sad that he has to end his career at 31 yo when he has the desire to continue playing and enjoys the competition. He belongs to the top echelon and with him missing from the tour, it’s a great loss (we felt that way for Delpo in the past, but at least Delpo was able to continue playing!).
I agree lucky. I don’t think he’s for sure done yet. And if he is, it was one hell of a way to go out.
I also want to add that Fed, followed by Rafa and now Djoko, all shown that you can have a great career extending into the 30s. Yes, they’re three ATGs but there’re lots of mileage on their bodies and yet they’re going strong.
I mean, Berdych or Stan for examples, they don’t have as much mileage on their bodies, so all the more they could and should continue with their career as long as they still have the desire and motivation to do so. The three ATGs may be scaling down their schedule, so all the more there will be chances for the other guys in their 30s to win some of the big titles like the Masters if they can’t win the slams; the next gen are not ready to challenge for all the big titles yet so opportunities are there.
If Murray can come back from his hip injury to play tennis, perhaps he’ll learn to take it easy, enjoys playing tennis for the love of it; he may even revert back to his net aprroaching kind of tennis of his younger days, concentrates on improving his serve and then perhaps plays a more offensive, shorter points tennis game, and cuts down on the running and retrieving, that may put less strain on his body I think.
I think both Fed and Rafa serve as examples, for adapting their games to suit their aging bodies; maybe Murray could look upon them as inspiration.
If only … 🙁