“Every Right to Be Invited to Tournaments”: Chris Evert Sides With Andy Murray Over Recent Criticism

Former World No.1 Andy Murray has been in a lot of discussions lately. The Brit was subjected to criticism from Former Grand Slam champion Mats Wilander after his lackluster performance in the first round of French Open 2020. Murray went out in a straight-set defeat to Stan Wawrinka.

Wilander had argued that Murray was robbing chances from youngsters by accepting the wildcard at French Open 2020. Wilander also said that Murray was giving a ‘fake sense of hope’ of a comeback. However, players like Nick Kyrgios and former players like John McEnroe have come out in support of the British player.

WTA legend and 18-time Grand Slam champion Chris Evert also sided with Murray and disagreed with Wilander’s comments.

“I do not agree with him removing ‘wild card’. I believe that someone who has won ‘Grand Slam’ has every right to be invited to tournaments. Andy is a smart boy and he will not be taking invitations three years in a row if the results do not arrive.” (quotes have been translated from Spanish using Google Translate)

Further, Evert has confidence in Murray that when the time comes, Andy will ‘let it go’.

“He will know sooner or later if he takes wildcards and his game isn’t improving and he’s not getting deeper into tournaments, I have confidence in him that he’s going to let go.”

Chris Evert says nobody has to tell Andy Murray when to retire

Coming to Murray’s retirement, Evert was strict in her observation and said that nobody needs to tell Murray when to retire.

“Murray has to retire when he wants to retire. Nobody has to tell him when to do it. He has won a lot and has managed to overcome a lot of physical problems. The problem is that the dirt is not his favorite surface and he had Wawrinka in front.”

Murray has been struggling on the tour ever since he had his hip replacement surgeries, which are infamous for being career-threatening. He is keeping his expectations low and just wants to participate in the biggest tournaments on the calendar.

Read More: “Could Get Back to the Top Ten”: John McEnroe Backs Andy Murray