T365 Recall: When Andy Murray cemented his legacy during brilliant 2016 season

It’s Andy Murray’s birthday so what better way to celebrate than by looking at his brilliant 2016 season?
The year 2012 will always be remembered as the year Murray ended his wait for a Grand Slam trophy while 2013 will live long in the memory as he ended Great Britain’s 77-year drought for Wimbledon title. However, 2016 was the year where he truly made his mark as a tennis great.
He may not have tasted Grand Slam success in 2015, but his career was on an upward trajectory as he finished the year as the world No 2.
However, it was a case of déjà vu at the Australian Open as he made it to the final only to lose to Novak Djokovic again as he was on the end of a 1–6, 5–7, 6–7 (3–7) defeat. It was the fourth time in six years that Murray had been beaten by the Serb in the Melbourne final.
He didn’t really get going over the next two months as he suffered early losses at the Sunshine Double, but his form finally picked up during the clay-court season as he reached the semi-final of the Monte Carlo Masters, losing in three sets to Rafael Nadal.
He finally got the better of Nadal at the Madrid Open as he beat the King of Clay in straight sets to reach the final only to finish runner-up to that man Djokovic again.
It was a case of third time lucky as he got the breakthrough in the Italian Open final and broke the psychological barrier by beating No 1 Djokovic in two sets.
“I’ve had great preparation now going into the French Open,” he said. “I have played against Rafa a couple of times, Novak a couple of times. You know, not won all of the matches, but competed extremely well even in the ones I have lost.
“[I’m] going to Roland Garros with a lot of confidence. Over best of five, as well, takes a little bit more physical and mental strength.”
And he needed all that physical and mental strength at Roland-Garros as he was involved in three five-setters, two four-setters and two three-setters.
Defending champion Stan Wawrinka stood in his way of a maiden French Open final and it was the Brit who won 6–4, 6–2, 4–6, 6–2 to set up a final against his nemesis Djokovic.
The Serb again got the better of him as he won 6–3, 1–6, 2–6, 4–6.
Murray kicked off his grass-court season by successfully defending his Queen’s Club Championship, beating Milos Raonic in the final.
It was all set up for him to go on another magical run at Wimbledon. And he truly delivered as he breezed into the quarter-finals with four three-set wins. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga provided his stiffest test in the last four, but he still won 7–6 (12–10), 6–1, 3–6, 4–6, 6–1.
Raonic was again his opponent in the final and again the Canadian lost as the Brit won at SW19 for a second time with a 6–4, 7–6 (7–3), 7–6 (7–2).
“This is the most important tournament for me every year. I’ve had some great moments here and some tough losses,” he said.
“I’m glad to get my hands on the trophy again.”
A few weeks later he was off to Rio and he went where no man had gone before: winning back-to-back Olympic singles gold medals. Juan Martín del Potro from Argentina stood between him and another gold medal, but claimed a comfortable 7–5, 4–6, 6–2, 7–5 victory.
His unbeaten run came to an end in the final of the Cincinnati Masters where he lost in two sets against Marin Cilic, while his US Open campaign was halted by Kei Nishikori in the quarter-finals.
But there was still plenty of glory to come as finished the year on a high by winning the final five tournaments he entered namely the China Open, Shanghai Masters, Vienna Open, Paris Masters and ATP World Tour Finals.
At the Paris Masters he became world No 1 for the first time in his career when he reached final, which he won 6–3, 6–7 (4–7), 6–4 against American John Isner.
His end-of-season form meant he was the overwhelming favourite to win the ATP Tour Finals in London, but he had the added pressure of needing to win the title to finish the year as the No 1.
Murray, though, delivered as he beat Djokovic 6–3, 6–4 in the final to finish off a truly magnificent campaign on a high.
In total he won nine tournaments (Wimbledon, ATP Tour Finals, Rome Masters, Shanghai Masters, Paris Masters, Rio Olympics, Queen’s Club Championships, China Open, Vienna Open) and finished runner-up at three events (Australian Open, French Open, Madrid Masters, Cincinnati Masters) for 78-9 (89.7%) record.
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
More from Tennis365:
-
-
FEATURE: Meet Roy Erskine, Andy Murray’s grandfather and former professional footballer
-
EXCLUSIVE: Annabel Croft on the ‘identity crisis’ facing the women’s game
-
-
Dominic Thiem starting to master the art of consistency against the Big Three
-
Italian Open: Facts and figures about the ATP and WTA tournament
-
Latest
-
ATP Tour
Daniil Medvedev closing in on career milestone as he returns to action this week
Daniil Medvedev will become the first player outside the ‘Big Four’ to claim a top two spot in the ATP rankings this week.
-
ATP Tour
‘I’m pumped to be competing again’ – Andy Murray steps up his comeback in Rotterdam
Andy Murray has declared he is ready to step up his latest comeback effort, as he prepares to compete in the ATP 500 event in Rotterdam.
-
Tennis News
Historic day for Novak Djokovic as he equals Roger Federer’s record of weeks as world No.1
Djokovic is guaranteed to set a new mark next week.
-
ATP Tour
David Goffin ends long wait for an ATP title with a win in Montpellier
David Goffin captured his first ATP Tour title for more than three years by winning the Open Sud de France in Montpellier.
-
Tennis News
Roger Federer sends his fans into a frenzy with Twitter post ahead of his return to action
Roger Federer fans are counting down to his return to action in Doha next week and his tweet teasing his return instantly became a big hit.
-
Tennis News
Iga Swiatek’s perfect week as she claims her second WTA title
Iga Swiatek won her second career WTA title with victory over Belinda Bencic in the final of the Adelaide International.
-
News
Jamie Murray says quarantine threat on tour means players must be ready to adapt
The doubles specialist plans to travel to tournaments in Mexico and Miami next month without knowing what to expect on arrival.
-
Tennis News
Battle of the Brits event is back and this time with spectators
The Battle of the Brits events were a huge success during the Covid-19 crisis and now they are set to return with spectators.
-
Tennis Features
The only way is up for Naomi Osaka as she looks to replicate hard-court success on clay and grass
Oli Jefford on the world being Naomi Osaka’s oyster.
-
Kevin Palmer
Britain’s strength in depth in doubles highlights quality of structure
British tennis may be wondering who can replace Andy Murray, but they have a very different story to tell in the doubles arena.