Murray rages against the dying of the light
By Joe Bailey for MurraysWorld.com on January 14, 2019, 12:28 pm
Andy Murray went down fighting today in possibly the final match of his professional career, 4-6 4-6 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (7-4) 2-6, against Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain.
After an emotional few days of tributes and warm words from both within and without tennis, Murray received an ovation from the Melbourne Arena crowd before play had even started.
No-one present or watching on television expected to ride the Murraycoaster just one more time, but the Scot dug deep into his physical and mental reserves to put on a show.
Visibly not the player of his 2016 pomp, Murray strained to roll back the years but let slip a break chance in the eighth game and promptly lost the first set.
The second set followed a similar course as Murray’s progress around the court betrayed his physical constraints.
In what looked like possibly his final set as a professional, Murray fell a break behind again before punching back to keep things interesting.
Another break chance went by again in game nine of the third set, before the crowd went wild as Murray took the tiebreak and the man himself bellowed into the sky.
Adrenaline surging, Murray took the fourth set in similar fashion and it looked for all the world as though the great man might just triumph.
Bautista Agut, however, rediscovered the steady efficiency of the early exchanges and calmly killed Murray’s momentum on his way to cantering away with the decider.
Murray was beaten, yet soaked in the adulation reserved for a true champion even in defeat.
Despite the real sense of an ending in this extraordinary encounter, both on and off the court, Murray still left the door open a crack in his post-match interview when he suggested that further hip surgery might see him play in front of adoring crowds again.
That all remains to be seen, but if this really must be the end then no-one can say that the man from Dunblane went gentle into that good night.
After an emotional few days of tributes and warm words from both within and without tennis, Murray received an ovation from the Melbourne Arena crowd before play had even started.
No-one present or watching on television expected to ride the Murraycoaster just one more time, but the Scot dug deep into his physical and mental reserves to put on a show.
Visibly not the player of his 2016 pomp, Murray strained to roll back the years but let slip a break chance in the eighth game and promptly lost the first set.
The second set followed a similar course as Murray’s progress around the court betrayed his physical constraints.
In what looked like possibly his final set as a professional, Murray fell a break behind again before punching back to keep things interesting.
Another break chance went by again in game nine of the third set, before the crowd went wild as Murray took the tiebreak and the man himself bellowed into the sky.
Adrenaline surging, Murray took the fourth set in similar fashion and it looked for all the world as though the great man might just triumph.
Bautista Agut, however, rediscovered the steady efficiency of the early exchanges and calmly killed Murray’s momentum on his way to cantering away with the decider.
Murray was beaten, yet soaked in the adulation reserved for a true champion even in defeat.
Despite the real sense of an ending in this extraordinary encounter, both on and off the court, Murray still left the door open a crack in his post-match interview when he suggested that further hip surgery might see him play in front of adoring crowds again.
That all remains to be seen, but if this really must be the end then no-one can say that the man from Dunblane went gentle into that good night.
add comment | 29 comments
Awwww........ 
Andy....you are so brave and I'm so very proud of you! You'll always be Number One in my book!
Andy....you are so brave and I'm so very proud of you! You'll always be Number One in my book!
January 14, 2019, 01:05 pm
By Caz
By Caz
Awwww........
Andy....you are so brave and I'm so very proud of you! You'll always be Number One in my book!
Same here Caz!
Andy....you are so brave and I'm so very proud of you! You'll always be Number One in my book!
January 14, 2019, 01:33 pm
By Aileen
By Aileen
Such a typical Andy roller coaster: two sets down, 2 tie breaks and a decider in the 5th! What a way to go
So much fighting spirit, so much magic, so much to savour. And those lovely tributes at the end
I will miss him soooo much
But for me two things 1) hate to see him grimacing with pain 2) hate to see him lose to any Tom, Dick and Harriet he would have trounced in the past, so bitter sweet.
Thanks for the good times Andy, the highs so worth the lows.
Very early days but I am looking forward to seeing what he does next.
And very big
to everyone on here whose shared the joy and the sadness.
So much fighting spirit, so much magic, so much to savour. And those lovely tributes at the end
I will miss him soooo much
But for me two things 1) hate to see him grimacing with pain 2) hate to see him lose to any Tom, Dick and Harriet he would have trounced in the past, so bitter sweet.
Thanks for the good times Andy, the highs so worth the lows.
Very early days but I am looking forward to seeing what he does next.
And very big
to everyone on here whose shared the joy and the sadness.
January 14, 2019, 04:37 pm
By blueberryhill
By blueberryhill
Same here Caz!
And from me
January 14, 2019, 06:07 pm
By OldScotSupport
By OldScotSupport
Such a typical Andy roller coaster: two sets down, 2 tie breaks and a decider in the 5th! What a way to go
So much fighting spirit, so much magic, so much to savour. And those lovely tributes at the end
I will miss him soooo much
But for me two things 1) hate to see him grimacing with pain 2) hate to see him lose to any Tom, Dick and Harriet he would have trounced in the past, so bitter sweet.
Thanks for the good times Andy, the highs so worth the lows.
Very early days but I am looking forward to seeing what he does next.
And very big to everyone on here whose shared the joy and the sadness.
So much fighting spirit, so much magic, so much to savour. And those lovely tributes at the end
I will miss him soooo much
But for me two things 1) hate to see him grimacing with pain 2) hate to see him lose to any Tom, Dick and Harriet he would have trounced in the past, so bitter sweet.
Thanks for the good times Andy, the highs so worth the lows.
Very early days but I am looking forward to seeing what he does next.
And very big
to everyone on here whose shared the joy and the sadness. Could not have expressed my feelings any better
January 14, 2019, 06:08 pm
By OldScotSupport
By OldScotSupport
Also from me 
January 14, 2019, 06:49 pm
By ChrisMac
By ChrisMac
Could not have expressed my feelings any better
Thank you, and Chris. Came from the heart.
January 14, 2019, 06:57 pm
By blueberryhill
By blueberryhill
There's only one Andy Murray - only one Andy Murray .... The faint hearted need not apply. Hats off Sir Andy! 
The faint hearted need not apply. Hats off Sir Andy!
January 14, 2019, 07:17 pm
By Elly
By Elly
Yes, Andy is a true braveheart he never gives in and his determination he is truly great. He fought hard and had he been fit he would have won this match.
I just hope even if he gives up playing he will still be involved in tennis in some capacity.
I wonder if we will ever have another tennis player in the Uk who has enough talent I think not, even though there are many young players coming through but they are mainly from abroad.
I am sure he will be happy to spend more time with Kim and his daughters and I am sure he will always be involved in British tennis.
I just hope even if he gives up playing he will still be involved in tennis in some capacity.
I wonder if we will ever have another tennis player in the Uk who has enough talent I think not, even though there are many young players coming through but they are mainly from abroad.
I am sure he will be happy to spend more time with Kim and his daughters and I am sure he will always be involved in British tennis.
January 14, 2019, 07:25 pm
By Littlebuddha
By Littlebuddha
Awwww........
Andy....you are so brave and I'm so very proud of you! You'll always be Number One in my book!
Andy....you are so brave and I'm so very proud of you! You'll always be Number One in my book!
Same here, Andy is my hero and inspiration for life...
January 14, 2019, 07:57 pm
By flowerpower
By flowerpower
One of the spectators commented that the match felt like an opera . And it did with soaring passion , pain and drama. Right from the first time I ever watched Andy Murray there was something epic about his tennis, it was always a struggle and a battle to overcome against enormous odds. He tried and tried again like Bruce’s spider and in the end conquered through hard work and sheer determination. A warrior, a prize fighter and yet sensitive and vulnerable at the same time. I used to watch his awkward post match interviews with clenched stomach willing him to say the right thing and show the doubters what a great person he is and eventually he conquered that as well. If he does retire now he can have no regrets and nothing but pride in what he has done. But OMG it is going to be so hard not being able to watch him any more. Heartbreaking.
January 14, 2019, 11:16 pm
By neverhurryamurray
By neverhurryamurray
One of the spectators commented that the match felt like an opera . And it did with soaring passion , pain and drama. Right from the first time I ever watched Andy Murray there was something epic about his tennis, it was always a struggle and a battle to overcome against enormous odds. He tried and tried again like Bruce’s spider and in the end conquered through hard work and sheer determination. A warrior, a prize fighter and yet sensitive and vulnerable at the same time. I used to watch his awkward post match interviews with clenched stomach willing him to say the right thing and show the doubters what a great person he is and eventually he conquered that as well. If he does retire now he can have no regrets and nothing but pride in what he has done. But OMG it is going to be so hard not being able to watch him any more. Heartbreaking.
you and bbh have said everything for me, in better words - and gif selection - than I can manage right now. What an epic ride, I feel privileged to have been on it with you all.
January 15, 2019, 07:36 am
By circe
By circe
Thanks for the write up Joe. I couldn't watch the match, so it's much appreciated!!
January 15, 2019, 07:49 am
By Caz
By Caz
Yes thanks for the report, it was very good.
January 15, 2019, 02:30 pm
By moonglow
By moonglow
Thank you, Joe, for that excellent write up, especially as I could not watch it.
I agree with all the wonderful comments as well.
Andy
I agree with all the wonderful comments as well.
Andy
January 17, 2019, 06:06 am
By adb..OH
By adb..OH
Great write up Joe, thanks. Managed to watch from late in the third set and have yet to watch the whole match, recorded.
For me Andy won the match in spirit even if not in points. And in fact I'm glad he didn't win in points because I don't think he could have done it again the next time (and against an Aussie the crowd would have been more divided). So another match could have been a real anti-climax. As it was he went out on a high with the crowd's love for him ringing in his ears. And for the same reason (as well as wanting him to end the pain) I hope he doesn't put off another operation in order to play Wimbledon. He couldn't ask for a better match send off than he had in Melbourne. A commentator said later that they'd not seen a reaction from the tennis world like it since Agassi retired. I feel so proud of you Andy and proud to have been your fan through thick and thin. And so pleased to have shared so many highs and lows on the rollercoaster with the rest of you on MW.
For me Andy won the match in spirit even if not in points. And in fact I'm glad he didn't win in points because I don't think he could have done it again the next time (and against an Aussie the crowd would have been more divided). So another match could have been a real anti-climax. As it was he went out on a high with the crowd's love for him ringing in his ears. And for the same reason (as well as wanting him to end the pain) I hope he doesn't put off another operation in order to play Wimbledon. He couldn't ask for a better match send off than he had in Melbourne. A commentator said later that they'd not seen a reaction from the tennis world like it since Agassi retired. I feel so proud of you Andy and proud to have been your fan through thick and thin. And so pleased to have shared so many highs and lows on the rollercoaster with the rest of you on MW.
January 20, 2019, 04:35 pm
By Ruthie
By Ruthie
Great write up Joe, thanks. Managed to watch from late in the third set and have yet to watch the whole match, recorded.
For me Andy won the match in spirit even if not in points. And in fact I'm glad he didn't win in points because I don't think he could have done it again the next time (and against an Aussie the crowd would have been more divided). So another match could have been a real anti-climax. As it was he went out on a high with the crowd's love for him ringing in his ears. And for the same reason (as well as wanting him to end the pain) I hope he doesn't put off another operation in order to play Wimbledon. He couldn't ask for a better match send off than he had in Melbourne. A commentator said later that they'd not seen a reaction from the tennis world like it since Agassi retired. I feel so proud of you Andy and proud to have been your fan through thick and thin. And so pleased to have shared so many highs and lows on the rollercoaster with the rest of you on MW.
For me Andy won the match in spirit even if not in points. And in fact I'm glad he didn't win in points because I don't think he could have done it again the next time (and against an Aussie the crowd would have been more divided). So another match could have been a real anti-climax. As it was he went out on a high with the crowd's love for him ringing in his ears. And for the same reason (as well as wanting him to end the pain) I hope he doesn't put off another operation in order to play Wimbledon. He couldn't ask for a better match send off than he had in Melbourne. A commentator said later that they'd not seen a reaction from the tennis world like it since Agassi retired. I feel so proud of you Andy and proud to have been your fan through thick and thin. And so pleased to have shared so many highs and lows on the rollercoaster with the rest of you on MW.
Agree with all that. Ruthie. I would be very worried if he tried to play Wimbledon. How could he repeat that performance at the AO while still in pain. If that was his final match he certainly went out on a high, even if the time was not of his choosing.
January 20, 2019, 10:41 pm
By Iluvandy
By Iluvandy
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs3gXYaAOIg/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=jzujfcmk6nlc
A post on insta suggests Andy is in Miami now.
A post on insta suggests Andy is in Miami now.
January 20, 2019, 11:17 pm
By flowerpower
By flowerpower
Great write up Joe, thanks. Managed to watch from late in the third set and have yet to watch the whole match, recorded.
For me Andy won the match in spirit even if not in points. And in fact I'm glad he didn't win in points because I don't think he could have done it again the next time (and against an Aussie the crowd would have been more divided). So another match could have been a real anti-climax. As it was he went out on a high with the crowd's love for him ringing in his ears. And for the same reason (as well as wanting him to end the pain) I hope he doesn't put off another operation in order to play Wimbledon. He couldn't ask for a better match send off than he had in Melbourne. A commentator said later that they'd not seen a reaction from the tennis world like it since Agassi retired. I feel so proud of you Andy and proud to have been your fan through thick and thin. And so pleased to have shared so many highs and lows on the rollercoaster with the rest of you on MW.
The truth is that the Aussies loved and respected Andy long before the British got round to it, therefore from that point of view alone I think the AO was the best place for him to retire, if he had to. It was a great match too. What if he does wait until Wimbledon before retiring and goes out in R1 either to a virtual nobody or to one of the top players? Doesn't bear thinking about really. Having said that I'll be surprised if he waits for another five months before having the op anyway given the amount of pain he's in in his every day life, and that being the case, despite what Bob Bryan says, i'm sure it really will be the end of his career. For me Andy won the match in spirit even if not in points. And in fact I'm glad he didn't win in points because I don't think he could have done it again the next time (and against an Aussie the crowd would have been more divided). So another match could have been a real anti-climax. As it was he went out on a high with the crowd's love for him ringing in his ears. And for the same reason (as well as wanting him to end the pain) I hope he doesn't put off another operation in order to play Wimbledon. He couldn't ask for a better match send off than he had in Melbourne. A commentator said later that they'd not seen a reaction from the tennis world like it since Agassi retired. I feel so proud of you Andy and proud to have been your fan through thick and thin. And so pleased to have shared so many highs and lows on the rollercoaster with the rest of you on MW.
All very sad, but like you and others I feel proud and privileged to have been able to support him for all these years, going along with the lows and rejoicing in the many highs.
January 20, 2019, 11:19 pm
By Aileen
By Aileen
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs3gXYaAOIg/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=jzujfcmk6nlc
A post on insta suggests Andy is in Miami now.
But why would he be there right now? It doesn't make much sense to me, unless of course he's gone to the US to see the specialist who operated on Bob Bryan's hip, but then he's in New York. All very strange! A post on insta suggests Andy is in Miami now.
January 20, 2019, 11:51 pm
By Aileen
By Aileen