Andy Murray Bids Farewell to French Open as Stan Prevails
Locker Room
May 27, 2024
Andy Murray said a sad goodbye to Grand Slam singles action at Roland Garros with an air of resignation.
Super Stan Wawrinka was simply too strong in the battle of the legends. But there is an obvious bonus for Wimbledon spectators.
Andy Murray will now have more time to concentrate on getting ready for his final farewell at Wimbledon 2024. And that unmissable moment will be highly emotional.
With an exaggerated handshake and a half-embrace, Murray greeted Stan the Man warmly at the net after their slightly one-sided opening-round contest.
Wawrinka had only needed to tap his winner into an open court to close out this victory. Murray had been forced wide to keep the point alive and knew he couldn’t get back in time.
In a sense that deciding exchange was symbolic of the match itself. Andy was broken immediately and couldn’t break back as he watched Wawrinka take control and stay solid for his 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 victory.
The old gladiators chatted at the net, seemingly about what limited time they both have left as players.
Wawrinka revealed this much: ‘My first words to him were respect to a great champion.’
The first week of Wimbledon 2024 will be poignant indeed. Can Murray win a match or two there?
Andy Murray will surely provide the first-week focus at Wimbledon 2024 – and rightly so.
He is a little short of meaningful action for now, after recovering from his ankle injury.
But he has plenty of time to adapt to grass and sharpen up for the Championships.
At some point Murray’s 2024 Wimbledon campaign will end in tears. But he will be determined to give a much better account of himself than he did at Roland Garros, where he was quickly undone by a past master.
Andy commented: ‘Stan has, over the years, played brilliant tennis on that court. I was expecting him to play very well. I think he did that. He gave me very few opportunities. I wish I could have done a bit better.’
Andy Murray surely will do better at Wimbledon 2024!
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