While Novak Djokovic won his third Musketeers Cup and made history in Paris by becoming the male player with the most Grand Slams in history (23), Andy Murray (36 years old and 40th in the ATP -ranking) for one title: the Surbiton Grass Challenger, a fifth-category tournament. The contrast is striking, all the more so as the Scot also won Grand Slams (two Wimbledons and a US Open) and topped the world tennis rankings until not too long ago. The horrific hip injury prompted Murray to retire and start all over again, but he wasn’t the only one to go under in the mud and return to major tournaments. Injuries also meant that Gael Monfils (36 years old and number 276 in the ranking) fought in challengers and Milos Raonic (32 years old and number 545 in the ranking) reserved invitations to tournaments to once again work with the best. This was the case in Toronto, where Murray, Monfils and Raonic meet in the round of 16.
“I hope to find the motivation to keep training and improve again. Motivation plays a major role in this. Losing a lot in the early rounds doesn’t help. “I have no intention of retiring for the time being,” Murray confirmed, hurt when asked about the withdrawal after losing to Greece’s Tsitsipas in the second round at Wimbledon. The Scot, who returned to the slopes in 2021 with a hip prosthesis, accepted his new reality, from competing in the final rounds to racking up points and sensations in the challengers mentioned above: “I wish I had fallen behind in a category “Played earlier and I hope I would have played at that level more,” confirmed Murray after winning the two challengers ahead of Wimbledon.
The fact that great players often had to compete in these lower level tournaments due to injuries was always taken as a sign of decline and losing games. But nothing could be further from reality, there are several top 100 in these categories who don’t want to slow down and would rather gain confidence over the course of a week than give up in every first round of the ATP 250 or 500 tournaments. And in these tournaments he also overtook Gael Monfils, one of the big surprises of the Masters 1000 of Canada.
The Frenchman’s fall stems from an ankle injury he picked up just a year ago. When it looked like he would reach his sophomore age and be 20th overall, Monfils injured his ankle and missed the rest of the season. Since then he has battled himself and his injuries to continue being that athletic and resilient player. The victories will not accompany him in 2023, but at Roland Garros he allowed himself to pay tribute. At home and in front of his fans, Monfils defeated Argentinian Báez in five sets against the Parisian great in the first round in a match that ended at 1am when the Frenchman spasmed and extended a 4-0 lead in the final set. Even as the years pass, he always enriches his tennis with jumping and juggling. It doesn’t change Monfils, who after beating Tsitsipas (6-4 and 6-3) this morning will be fighting for a place in the top eight of the Canadian tournament against Australian Vucik.
Raonic was unlucky as he spent the whole of 2022 without an official game, weighed down by an Achilles’ heel with four micro-cracks and thoughts of retirement on his mind. Thanks to the protected ranking that allows long-term injured players to play in tournaments of their choice, he didn’t get through the challengers as he had no ATP points. Without losing his character and great serve, Milos wants to develop his good feelings on home soil and will face American Mcdonald to reach the quarterfinals.
Stanislas Wawrinka is not participating in this tournament, but he deserves a special mention as he is among those tennis players who do not accept retiring from the sport he loves. Also the winner of three Grand Slams (Roland Garros, Australia Open and US Open) and placed 49th, he was excited after losing in the Umag final last July and losing a chance at a title six years later: “I know it’s stupid.” cry but I love this sport and you guys make it special.” Although not at the level of yesterday, the Swiss maintains his serve and powerful forehand on the circuit.
Wawrinka’s tears, Murray’s screams, Monfils’ leaps or Raonic’s kicks are scenes from four successful careers that are getting closer and closer to their end. They fight for every point and try to delay the natural course of a tennis player’s life as much as possible. Retirement is fast approaching, but her love and pride keep her from giving up the ball.
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