By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Thursday Might 9, 2024
Andy Murray is able to return to the tour after lacking time as a consequence of a ruptured ankle ligament. The 36-year-old Scot, who turns 37 on Might 15, will take his spot within the Geneva draw later this month, within the week earlier than Roland-Garros, as he commences his final spring and summer time as a professional.
Right now in Rome, one other legend who’s enjoying in his final season shared his ideas on Murray’s legacy.
Having confronted him 24 occasions on tour, Rafael Nadal ought to know a factor or two in regards to the three-time Grand Slam champion…
“We all know one another since we had been small children as a result of I believe he is one 12 months youthful,” Nadal instructed reporters. “We grew collectively on the tour, even when he arrived somewhat bit later than me.”
Nadal, who earned 17 wins from his 24 matches with Murray, praised the Brit for his monumental contribution to his technology.
“Andy had an incredible profession,” Nadal stated, including that the previous World No.1 was the one different participant who constantly stayed at a degree near the Massive 3 of Nadal, Federer and Djokovic. “He was an incredible participant that in all probability performed in a tough second of the historical past of tennis as a result of he shared the tour on the prime time of Novak, Roger and myself.
“He was, in my feeling, the one which was on the identical degree as us normally phrases. When it comes to victories, it is true that he achieved much less. When it comes to degree of tennis, when it comes to holding mentally the successful spirit week after week, he was the one one which was very near being on the identical degree as us.”
Osaka on Murray: He’s Relentless
4-time champion Naomi Osaka additionally had some variety phrases for the 46-time ATP title winner.
“For me, Murray’s such an important man, such a tricky competitor,” Osaka stated earlier this week in Rome. “I believe it is actually superb the truth that he loves tennis a lot and he retains coming again. He is had all these accidents. He is sort of relentless in a approach. Simply his potential to maintain enjoying matches at a excessive degree.”
Osaka says that she watched Murray when she was a child and was impressed by the identical preventing spirit that Nadal spoke of.
“For me, once I take into consideration him, once I take into consideration the legacy that he leaves on tennis,” Osaka stated. “I believe as a child watching him on TV enjoying these superb battles, he is affected each tennis child worldwide.”
