EXPLAINED. Why Andy Murray was so upset against Fognini in Shanghai

Andy Murray and Fabio Fognini had a heated exchange on Tuesday after the former did not appreciate the manner by which the Italian star was talking to him. The former world no. 1 said that Fognini was intentionally trying to distract him during their second-round match.

According to Murray, when he was trying to get the ball towards the net during their third set, the Italian star screamed something at him to distract him. He also accused the world no. 12 of telling him to not look at him. While it ultimately did not work, Murray was still frustrated at the other player’s behavior.

For his part, Fognini thought that he was funny during the entire thing. He also said that Murray should not take things too seriously.

Andy commented:

“He told me to stop complaining, to have a sense of humor. I wanted to know where the sound came from and it came from him, which you’re not allowed to do.

It’s against the rules, it’s hindrance, you shouldn’t do it. But he said I should have a sense of humor about that, but at that moment neither of us were in a joking, laughing kind of mood.

He [the umpire] wasn’t saying anything to him. I was obviously frustrated with that. He wanted to engage with me, I probably shouldn’t have done but I’m not having him talk to me like that on the court.”

Social media support Murray against Fognini

A lot of social media users on Twitter and Facebook rallied around Murray. In a Twitter video where Murray told Fognini to shut up, a lot of comments agreed that the Scot did the right thing. One even said that Fognini has always been known for being unprofessional.

Here some of the comments on Twitter.

Murray v Fognini was… spicy 😳#RolexSHMasters pic.twitter.com/HNlpsDoaCF

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) October 8, 2019

Murray loses to Fognini

Fognini successfully fended off Murray’s advance in Shanghai in that same match, scoring 7-6 2-6 7-6.  The match, which lasted for three hours, was such a blockbuster among the crowd because the two stars were neck and neck with each other all throughout the game.

It is said that if Murray won during the match with Fognini, it would have been his biggest win so far since he came back to competing in singles tournaments. Reports say that the Scottish star is a bit upset about his loss because he actually had more overall points than the Italian.

Murray to make Grand Slam singles comeback

Meanwhile, in other good Murray news, the Scottish tennis star will be making his comeback in the Grand Slam singles arena as he was confirmed to be participating in January’s Australian Open. The news, confirmed by tournament director Craig Tiley, means that it could be the first tournament since early this year that the Big Four would be together in a Grand Slam tournament.

It can be remembered that it was the 2019 edition of the Melbourne Park tournament that Murray announced his possible retirement because of his injury. Fortunately, he went through what could be a career-saving hip surgery. In fact, Murray was already part of Wimbledon 2019 as half of a mixed doubles team with icon Serena Williams. The Scottish star, however, is taking everything slowly so that his injuries will not be triggered.

Before the tennis season ends, it is expected that the Scot will attend his last individual event of the year in Antwerp’s European Open. He will also represent Great Britain in the Davis Cup in Madrid.

Andy Murray’s ranking and performance in 2019

Ranked no.289, the Brit played his last match on the 8^th of October when he surrendered to Fabio Fognini 7-6⁴ 2-6 7-6² in the 2^nd round in Shanghai.

Fognini in Shanghai, ranking, and results in 2019

Ranked no.12, the Italian has a 27-18 win-loss record in 2019. Fabio is currently competing in Shanghai where he ousted Sam Querrey 6-4 6-2 and Andy Murray 7-6⁴ 2-6 7-6².

The Italian will square off with Khachanov in the 3^rd round. The head to head is 1-0 for Khachanov.

The last time that they squared off, Khachanov won 3-6 6-3 6-1 in the quarter in Beijing in 04^th October 2019.

The Italian has won 1 title in 2019 in Carlo.

The Italian won 9 titles in his career: 1 on hard courts and 8 on clay courts. (See the list of his titles)

Andy Murray and Fabio Fognini played each other 8 times. The head to head is 4-4.

The last time that they played, Fabio Fognini won 7-6⁴ 2-6 7-6² in the 2^nd round in Shanghai in 08^th October 2019.

Here the highlights.