Murray bringing memories into Stan showdown

Andy Murray’s French Open first-rounder against longtime rival Stan Wawrinka will bring back painful memories, the Scot admitted on Friday as he prepared for the clash of veterans.

Murray, 37, has beaten the Swiss 13 times in 22 career meetings between the pair who each hold three Grand Slam titles.

But it was their Roland Garros semi-final in 2017 which Murray called “the last straw for my hip.”

The 75th-ranked Scot has spent the seven years since a series of serious medical procedures – including a resurfacing and repair of the dodgy joint – in near-constant rehab and physio in an effort to remain competitive on the Tour.

He and the 39-year-old Wawrinka last played in May a year ago in a Challenger in Bordeaux.

 “That (2017 Paris) match (which he lost 6-1 in the fifth set) was the last straw for my hip,” Murray confessed.

“Before, in the quarter-finals, I knew something was not right. I was having trouble moving and driving up on serve.

“After the match I felt unable to move, I remember staying in a house near the site and being unable to sleep. 

“I got up in the middle of the night and lay on the couch in pain. I couldn’t extend my leg behind me properly.

“It was a shame.”

Murray said, however, that his current condition as he finally returns to the courts earlier than planned from a match ankle injury,  is more than encouraging.

He began with baby steps this week in Geneva, losing his opening match to German Yannick Hanfmann but remains encouraged by his form. 

“In Miami I was just starting to play well, I was in a good position but unfortunately got injured.”

But Murray added that rehab has been going better than might have originally been expected.

“I worked hard every day, didn’t take breaks and didn’t have time to feel sorry for myself.

“Working so hard may have helped in being able to return sooner than anticipated.”

Main photo:- Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka faced each other in French Open 2020 by Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd