Andy Murray could ‘play on’ despite French Open hammering and apparent farewell

Andy Murray slumped to a predictable defeat at the French Open against Stan Wawrinka, but tennis legend Mats Wilander has suggested he could continue his career for ‘another couple of years’.

Murray waved goodbye to the big stage at Roland Garros for probably the final time after a first-round defeat to Stan Wawrinka at the French Open.

The former world number one was well beaten 6-4 6-4 6-2 under the lights on Court Philippe Chatrier.

It was a familiar feeling for Murray, whose last three matches on the Paris clay have now ended in defeat to his Swiss rival.

The first was the epic semi-final defeat in five brutal sets in 2017, a match which ultimately proved too much for Murray’s hip and almost forced him into retirement.

This one was more like the second, a straight-sets first-round defeat in 2020, but it has probably still nudged Murray another step closer to calling it a day.

Murray has, of course, provided plenty of unforgettable late-night drama over the years. But sadly, it looks as though the well has finally run dry.

In fairness, the 37-year-old Scot had done well just to get here having ruptured ankle ligaments nine weeks ago.

It meant that the two old warriors, greats of the modern game, with a combined age of 76 and just three original hips between them, met for the 23rd time in their illustrious careers.

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Wawrinka is, like Murray, a three-time grand slam winner and was the French Open champion in 2015.

Having broken the Murray serve in the first game, the 39-year-old turned the opening set into a masterclass in the dying art of the one-handed backhand.

It was, and probably still is, one of the best on the Tour, showcased by one sizzling winner down the line which brought Chatrier to its feet.

Wawrinka should have clinched the set when he toyed with Murray with a drop shot followed by a lob, only to push an easy winner long.

But he wrapped it up at the next attempt as Murray sent a forehand long and looked at the sky in disgust.

Murray’s frustration grew when a volley into the net gifted Wawrinka break point for 2-1 in the second, which the Swiss gratefully accepted.

The shoulders slumped a little further with every shot that went wide and every winner that flew just out of his reach.

The second set went Wawrinka’s way after another makeable Murray forehand whistled into the net, and the third was frankly a procession, won with, predictably, a backhand.

So Murray, a popular runner-up here in 2016, exited stage left with a lingering wave to loud, appreciative applause.

“My first words to him were respect to a great champion,” said Wawrinka after the match. “As a tennis fan I enjoyed watching Andy against the best players of all time. We had battles with the best players for nearly 20 years and we’re not all that young anymore, but we’re trying to make the best of what we have left.”

“I think Andy did everything he could since he arrived on tour. Super young, he was an amazing fighter. He always found solutions. He’s one of the hardest workers on tour. For more than 20 years, he always wanted to improve. He always improved his game.

“Like you say, at the French Open, he made semifinal, went to the final, he became No 1. He achieved everything a player could achieve in tennis.

“He’s an amazing champion, amazing guy. I think he has a lot of fans, a lot of people started playing tennis because of him. I respect him a lot. I enjoyed playing him a lot the last 20 years. We played so many times, so many big battles. Hopefully he’s going to keep going a little bit.”

Meanwhile former world No 1 Mats Wilander suggested Murray could extend is career beyond this summer if he feels he could still be comptitive on his favouirte surface of grass.

“I love that he changed his racquet, I think he was hitting his forehand harder today,” Wilander told Eurosport. “But it wasn’t a good match-up for him on clay, it never was against Stan Wawrinka and it will most probably always be like that.”

“Wimbledon is Andy’s best chance at having one last good Grand Slam tournament, maybe get to the quarters or even the semis, he’s played good there the last couple of years. But this is the easily the most difficult surface to play on, the clay when you get older, because you have to take that extra step.

“I think this summer is unbelievably important, Wimbledon, the Olympics – can he get there. But Roland-Garros next year, I’d be very very doubtful. But I think it all depends on Wimbledon, if he can play well there, why not play for another couple of years.”

Murray still has the men’s doubles to play, with Dan Evans, but the British pair would have to get a very long way to return to the main show court.