Andy Murray crashes out of another tournament days after row over his legacy

06 February 2024 , 18:02

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Andy Murray crashed out of the Open 13 in the first round (Image: Getty Images)

Andy Murray's dismal start to 2024 continued after he crashed out of the Open 13.

The 36-year-old suffered a 7-5, 6-4 first-round defeat against Tomas Machac in Marseille to leave him still searching for a victory since the beginning of the calendar year. Murray has lost each of his last four matches and is struggling to find consistent form as discussions over a potential retirement continue.

Murray had clawed back from a 3-1 deficit early in the first set and jumped into a 5-4 lead, but Machac responded to win the opener 7-5. At the start of the second set, Murray was broken early and cut a frustrated figure after he got lobbed, was beaten at the net and slammed a backhand into the net.

Machac raced into a 4-2 lead, and although Murray held his serve to half the deficit, the Brit still needed a break to remain in the match. However, Murray was unable to do so as Machac won his next two service games to claim a 6-4 second set win to progress through.

It's yet another setback for Murray, who hit back at a journalist last week following his Open Sud De France first round exit against Benoit Paire. BBC Radio Scotland reporter Kheredine Idessane questioned whether Murray should retire to prevent tarnishing his legacy - and admitted "surely the fun stopped many months ago".

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Murray responded to Idessane on Twitter, and said: "Tarnishing my legacy? Do me a favour. I’m in a terrible moment right now I’ll give you that. Most people would quit and give up in my situation right now.

"But I’m not most people and my mind works differently. I won’t quit. I will keep fighting and working to produce the performances I know I’m capable of."

Andy Murray has had a nightmare start to 2024 (Icon Sport via Getty Images)

Murray started 2024 with a disappointing first-round defeat in the Brisbane International, losing out 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 to second seed Grigor Dimitrov. He then crashed out of the Australian Open at the first hurdle, having suffered a 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 defeat against Tomas Martin Etcheverry.

After his loss in Melbourne, Murray hinted at possibly retiring from the sport. He admitted at the time: "There's definitely a possibility that it's the last time I play here (in Melbourne)."

He added: "I have an idea of what I would probably like to finish playing. Yeah, so much of that depends on how you're playing. The time frame for that narrows when you play and have results like today.

"Look, I know that Tomas is a really, really good player. I'm aware of that. Even if I play well today, I can still lose the match. It's just the nature of the performance that makes you question things."

Kieran King