Australian Open R1: Andy vs Etchverry - Mon 5 am approx

[cazza99]

Andy 1st round vs Etchverry

[banskogirl]

Something to look forward to.......... not long now!

[cazza99]

Andy is 3rd match on Kia - approx 5 am

[Genbrit]

Thanks Cazza. Going to try and stay up for this, about midnight here.

[Hawkeye]

Andy broken in the first game...

[Hawkeye]

But in typical Andy fashion he breaks straight back!

Lots of long rallies already...

[Hawkeye]

After failing to take a break point in game 6, Andy has to try and save 3 break points in game 7.

He saves the first two, but not the third.

[Hawkeye]

First set to Etcheverry, 6-4.

[clancy]

Glad to be back with you - I haven't been able to find the forum for days! Up following Andy's match, and 1st set gone. Is all well with him? I worry about him and don't want him to play 5 sets so soon in the tournament. Come on Andy, dig deep. Doesn't seem able to break him. x

[HoopGirl]

Feeling nervous watching this atm.

[HoopGirl]

Andy letting the second set slip away now …

[Hawkeye]

Second set gone quickly, 6-2.

[Hawkeye]

And now a break down in the third.

[Hawkeye]

Etcheverry wins 6-4 6-2 6-2. Andy just not at the races.

[Jane]

:crying::crying:

[Teresa]

I wasn’t watching. I can’t watch him anymore because I can see the damage he is doing to his body.

I feel very, very sorry for him.

Please Andy retire. This isn’t worth it.

[HoopGirl]

He was very passive today - is this something to do with him being more compassionate to himself - if so it isn’t working.
Did wonder if he was a little injured too

[clancy]

I tend to agree with Theresa (although I have to watch him when he plays as he is and always will be my favourite player). I used to think Nadal would end up in a wheelchair but now worry that it will be Andy. I hope he can continue through the next 6 months and play one last Queens and Wimbledon. After 71 years of tennis enjoyment I know it will diminish with his exit. x

[Teresa]

Finishing at Queen’s and Wimbledon would be great. Home crowd. He has nothing to prove.

My attitude is coloured by my own hip problems. At 60 two new knees, orthopaedic shoes and I still use crutches outside of the house. Each hip surgery is less and less successful, and I haven’t hammered my body since childhood like he has. It’s no fun at all For a bloke who has always been so active it is going to be far, far worse.

He can still play, but for fun or on the seniors tour.



My interest in tennis was always Andy Murray. I follow the other Brits but with lesser interest.

I loved watching him and Ghent was one of the great highlights of my life.

Very, very sad.

[clancy]

Wish we could still give Thanks for posts.

[Stell]

I heard on radio five live, Andy threw the kitchen sink at Etchverry and it still wasn't enough. The presenter thought it might be Andy's last Australian Open.

[suttontennis]

even Andy is saying there is a 'definite possibility' he's played his last match down under. But he can't bring himself to say it. He should.
Even if he goes through a major upturn in form and results for the rest of the season (which is unlikely after his showing today), the tour owes him nothing, he could go out on a high at the end of this year. Every one that plays him says very nice things, he's a legend etc but it's like they are talking about some-one from a different age, which he surely can't find gratifying.

[Rosalind]

I was listening on radio at the end. I also don't watch nowadays. 36 + metal hip versus 20 something young bucks..... You can only do what you can do, with the best will in the world. I would like to see Andy as coach to some youngster who goes on to fabulous things. I think there comes a time when you need to move to the next stage of your life and get enjoyment from that. If you can go to Melbourne or wherever, and be content enjoying the tournament and the life and satisfied going out in round one or two, fine. But if you have the reaching of higher heights in your heart, I think it is continued disappointment and I'm not sure what for.

[JAMES4578]

That was frustrating , Andy looked like he was gaining the upper hand at one point in the first but then it all slipped away and he was a bit flat,looked like he was not fully fit mind you. certainly Etcheverry played well but not much resistance in the latter stages.

Hopefully Andy can have some good results later in the season but a think little chance of a good run at the bigger events .

looking more likely to be Andy's last season and whilst it will sad when he finally calls it a day, comes a time when it is best to move on and we have a number of great memories.

[patmoren]

I would hate to see him go but he has nothing to prove. His results speak for themselves and I don't want him getting permanently injured for no real gain.

[HoopGirl]

The Telegraph have written a really interesting article about this - they feel it’s a mental problem not physical - that he wants it too much

[david1610]

I watched the match and agree with most comments. The two players were well matched for the first half of the match, but with one exception. Andy just did not have his first serve there most of the time to get some free points so it was always a struggle. He had mentioned that in the article I posted a few days ago which was in the Guardian, and that he had not always enjoyed playing last year because of that. I feel that might be hip related and I think the increased UEs from the middle of the second set were also related to that. It must be so frustrating for him - he still has the range of shots but if you do not have a reliable first serve to get you out of trouble most of the time at best you are having to expend a lot of energy grinding out points. I just hope Andy either finds a solution to the serving or, if not, he plays however many more matches he wishes to in a spirit of enjoyment. Good luck Andy!

[Genbrit]

Stayed up to watch last night but feel so sad for Andy. Went to bed about 3am, near the end of the 3rd set, as it was a little upsetting seeing him trying but struggling. Was hopeful they might be a miraculous recovery when I woke up, but not to be and truthfully I didn't expect it. He has given us so much over the years that I hope he does what is right for him and his family.