Andy Murray accepts he may have played his final match at the Australian Open after crashing out in the first round of the year’s first grand slam on Monday.
Murray – a five-time finalist at Melbourne Park – fell at the first hurdle at the hard-court major for just the third time in his career, being humbled in straight sets by Tomas Martin Etcheverry.
Thirtieth seed Etcheverry reached the second round at the tournament for just the second time as he inflicted a 6-4 6-2 6-2 defeat on Murray, who produced a lifeless performance on Kia Arena.
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Murray has previously conceded 2024 could be his final season on the ATP Tour after an injury-hit few years, and after his defeat, he said a return to Melbourne Park was far from guaranteed.
“It’s a definite possibility that will be the last time I play here,” the three-time grand slam champion said. “I think probably because of how the match went and everything.
“In comparison to the matches that I played here last year, it’s the complete opposite feeling walking off the court.
“I wish I involved the crowd more. I’m just disappointed with the way I played and all of that stuff. It’s a tough, tough way to finish.”
Moving 🔛
Tomas Etcheverry flies into the second round, defeating Andy Murray 6-4 6-2 6-2 💪#AUSOPEN • #AO2024 PIC.TWITTER.COM/DFYQGMKQVI
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) JANUARY 15, 2024
Murray won just 33 per cent of points behind his second serve and committed 37 unforced errors to his opponent’s 19 throughout a sloppy display, which the 36-year-old was at a loss to explain.
“It was a poor performance. It was very, very flat. It was an amazing crowd out there that were trying to pick me up, support me and get behind me,” he said.
“Usually I would always engage the crowd and get them going and bring some energy into the match. It was really just a flat performance.
“I don’t know exactly why that was the case because I’ve been feeling good. I played pretty well in Brisbane, I practiced really well in the last 10 days or so. Bizarre feeling on the court today.”
Argentine Etcheverry will now move on to the second round, where he is scheduled to meet Gael Monfils on Thursday.
