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Murray absence down to fear of flying

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Update: Yep, it was an April Fools. Thanks to those that played along. - Ed
Extraordinary rumours circulating around the pro tour suggest that Andy Murray’s absence from the ATP circuit this year is less down to a much-publicised hip injury and more a fear of flying.


* Plane 2.jpg (63.36 KB. 634x639 - viewed 16752 times.)


The ATP tour is an 11-month slog that pretty much follows the sun, from Australia in January to Europe in the spring and onto the American hardcourts in late summer.

To follow the circuit, regular aeroplane travel is an absolute necessity. However, it seems that the Scot’s last flight, to Melbourne in January, was a rocky affair that left him petrified of leaving the ground.

A source close to the Murray camp said, “We hit severe turbulence while flying over the Middle East. The aisle was a river of peanut-and-prosecco vomit. Andy swore he’d never get on a plane again.”

Murray took time out in Melbourne to have minor hip surgery. But finding himself stranded on the other side of the world, he then made his way home with an epic 32-day odyssey by freight ship to China, followed by the Trans-Siberian Railway to Moscow and a fast train to London.

The Scot, who’s filled in time this year playing with his daughter’s vast Hornby train set, has since vowed to stick to driveable events in Europe.

John Isner, who tonight faces off against Sasha Zverev in the Miami Masters final, said, “It’s an open secret in the locker room. Andy’s turned in his wings. The hip thing’s an elaborate cover.

“You just need to utter words like ‘long-haul’, ‘flaps’ or ‘baggage allowance’ and he heads straight for his Thomas Cook European Rail Timetable. As for being good over head, let’s not even go there."

Murray’s fans must be concerned that many ATP points will now be unavailable to the former world number one, while shares in NetJets yesterday fell to a new overnight low.

[ Last edit by Mark April 03, 2018, 06:30 pm ] IP Logged
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Oh dear - that's very sad news, but at least it explains the two new Challengers events Andy would love to play in in the UK this summer ahead of Wimbledon.  Rosmalen too is just a fairly short train journey from London by Eurostar, although I understand that at least two changes are required.  These though will just be a minor inconvenience compared to the terror evoked by flying.
[ Last edit by Aileen April 01, 2018, 12:32 am ] IP Logged
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Rosmalen's not that far from Calais, actually. He could drive. It's all pretty career-limiting, though.
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I agree driving would be the better option, but it is such a shame that the grass court season is so short and that so many tournaments are held outside of Europe.  It must be really frustrating for him.
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Um...
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You can actually get to China relatively quickly by train. But I agree, it would be exhausting.
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I am flabbergasted they didn't quote his interview with the Dunblane Scot where he pretty much said this right out. It's linked somewhere on this board.

I remember thinking how awful the flight sounded, poor him. Must have really put the wind up.  I don't like flying either.

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LOLOLOL check the date peeps
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Aye there's always a funny rumour about Andy at this time of year
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^  I did wonder how true all this was - and the date is significant too ...............
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 lmao April fool!
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Fell for another tennis related April Fool today, but not this one I’m afraid.
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Nice one Grab  clap Where you been?
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Fell for another tennis related April Fool today, but not this one I’m afraid.

The bobsleigh one?
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The bobsleigh one?

No it was an entirely credible one in the French press. Took me a few moments to realise that it was only from one news source then I remembered what date it was.
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