London: Crestfallen Andy Murray admitted he doesn’t know if he will be back at Wimbledon next year after a heartbreaking second round loss to world No 5 Stefanos Tsitsipas on Friday.
Two-time champion Murray went down 7-6 (7/3), 6-7 (2/7), 4-6, 7-6 (7/3), 6-4 after a gruelling four-hour 40-minute matchup.
Questions on long-term future
The defeat means 36-year-old Murray has not made the second week of a Grand Slam since reaching the quarterfinals at Wimbledon in 2017.
It will also raise questions over his long-term future in the sport despite valiant attempts to rebuild his career following two hip surgeries.
“I don’t know,” said Murray when asked if he would be back at the All England Club next year.
“Motivation is obviously a big thing. Continuing having early losses in tournaments like this don’t necessarily help with that.”
Similar situation last year too
He admitted that a second round defeat at Wimbledon to John Isner last year had prompted a similar bout of soul-searching.
“I had a long think about things, spoke to my family, decided to keep on going.
“I don’t plan to stop right now. But this one will take a little while to get over.
“Hopefully, I will find the motivation again to keep training, keep pushing, try and keep getting better.”
Tsitispas fired 90 winners past Murray as he goes on to face Laslo Djere of Serbia for a place in the last 16.
“It’s never easy against Andy. Everyone loves him here,” said the Greek 24-year-old.
“I’m impressed how well he holds up after his hip surgeries. I wish him the best in the future.”
Fab four's influence on Tsitsipas
Tsitispas hailed the influence of Murray as well as fellow Grand Slam heavyweights Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
“I had goosebumps when he won his first Wimbledon title,” said Tsitsipas of Murray’s first Wimbledon title in 2013, which was followed by another three years later.
“I looked up to him, Roger, Novak and Rafa — these four guys shaped the game and they are the reason I am the player I am today.”
Suspension at the right time
Murray had been ahead when the match was halted on Thursday due to a local 11pm tournament curfew.
The suspension came at the right moment for the former world No 1, who fell and appeared to hurt his groin, leaving him screaming in pain as he served for the third set.
Tense nature of second round
However, the world No 40, who had secured the only break of serve in the first three sets, picked himself up to serve it out.
The tense nature of the second-round tie continued Friday with serve again on top and another tiebreak required, which the Greek claimed.
With a 12-year age difference, Tsitsipas suddenly found another gear and broke for the first time in the match to take a 2-1 lead in the decider, then claiming victory on a third match point.
