“Was Wearing a Heart-Rate Monitor”: Andy Murray Gives Fitness Update After Outlasting Alexander Zverev

Andy Murray’s comeback got stronger on Monday with a tough three-set win over world number seven Alexander Zverev at the Western and Southern Open. Ranked 134, Andy Murray played another tight three-setter and came through against a top-10 player. But for Murray, this win is part of a process with a bigger picture in mind.

Murray said that these long and physically challenging matches are helpful in testing his body’s limits as he aims to reach full fitness. Murray played another three-set match against Frances Tiafoe in the first round.

Impressive comeback continues for Andy Murray

“It was a big one to get through. I’m satisfied to get through it against a top player having not played for such a long time and I get another opportunity to compete again tomorrow,” Murray said after his 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 win against Zverev. “It will give me an idea of where my body is kind of at. I’ll expect to be tired but I’ll try and push myself regardless of the result,” the 2012 US Open champion added.

The former world number one also said that he was pushing himself in very hot and humid conditions in New York City. He then expressed confidence in his fitness and said he would have gotten through a five-set battle as well.

“It was ridiculously hot and humid at the beginning of the match. I was wearing a heart-rate monitor during the match which I checked afterwards and I was pushing it hard. I think I would have got through a five-setter,” Murray added.

Battle against Milos Raonic awaits

The match against Zverev was a test of Murray’s mental strength as well. He was a game away from losing the match, but the three-time Grand Slam champion used all his experience to get through. Murray now faces Milos Raonic, another towering player with a big serve.

Murray will fancy his chances against an opponent he has beaten eight consecutive times. “I have played him a lot. Huge serve. I saw a bit of his match today against Dan Evans. He is serving well, playing aggressive, which is when he plays his best,” Murray said of Raonic.

Murray leads 9-3 in their head-to-head record, but they have not faced each other in almost four years. Raonic too has struggled with injury issues over the past 2-3 years.

“We have played each other in some big matches. We played at the US Open, Cincinnati, Wimbledon final, the Australian Open. He has had his injury struggles as well, so it is nice to see him back,” Murray expressed.