“My Toes are the Worst Part”: Andy Murray After His Phenomenal Comeback at US Open 2020

Andy Murray can never be counted out, despite being two sets and a break of serve down. He has made impressive comebacks and endured tough five-set battles in the past as well, but his latest one would be right up amongst his best comebacks, given the phase he is in, at this stage of his career.

The former World Number One gave an account of his feelings throughout his first-round battle at the US Open 2020.

The Briton downed Yoshihito Nishioka 4-6, 4-6, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (4), 6-4 after four hours and 39 minutes on Tuesday, saving a match-point. Murray revealed after his match that he was not quite sure whether he would be able to endure a long match.

Murray played his first Grand Slam singles match since the 2019 Australian Open.

Andy Murray mixes patience with aggression

“I was apprehensive about playing a long match because I hadn’t played one for a long time,” Andy Murray said after the match.

After falling behind by two sets, Murray played aggressively and took risks on his shots in key moments that eventually paid off. But Murray believed that was the only way he could have a shot at his comeback. “Once I got two sets down I had to start putting the afterburners on,” Murray expressed.

Murray was down a break of serve in the third set, then again in the fifth set. He also overcame numerous break points against an inspired Nishioka. He said that the long and tough battle took its toll on his toes on both feet.

Murray keeps his focus when needed most

The issue seemed to start bothering Murray during the fourth set. But he kept his focus and won the tie-breaker to take the match into a decider. “I’m tired. My toes are the worst part. Big toes on both sides are pretty beat up. But I did alright,” Murray further said.

Murray’s first Grand Slam match in 19 months shared a lot of shades with his previous one. Murray came back from two sets down in the first round of the 2019 Australian Open against Roberto Bautista Agut, but lost in the fifth set. This time he completed the comeback.

Next for Andy Murray at the US Open 2020 is Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime. That match too has all the ingredients of another epic clash as Murray’s comeback trail persists.