The winning run of Andy Murray was halted by World No.240 Matteo Viola in the Rafa Nadal Open’s third round in Mallorca. Matteo beat the Briton in the event of the Challenger tour by 3-6 6-4 7-6 (7-3). Not only did Murray hit a double fault on the match point during the tie-break of the final set, but he lost the serve three times precisely. Andy, after overcoming third-seed Norbert Gombos and blitzing Imran Sibille succumbed to the tie-break with Viola.
Since 2005, for the very first time, the thirty-two-year-old Scot chose to participate after fourteen long years in the Challenger Tour to enhance his fitness, following a metal hip implant surgery in January that almost threatened to put an end to his career.
When asked about the time he spent at the event, Murray said: “Yeah, it was good, I enjoyed it. I would have liked to have played more matches but it was good, I played two competitive matches.”
How is the current health of Andy Murray?
During his 3rd round match in Mallorca, he struggled physically during the third set and had medical experts treating his left thigh during the medical time-outs, which he explained later, were for “cramping”.
Later speaking post the match, the former world number one said: “I’m cramping, very tired. I enjoyed (being here), I would have liked to have played more matches but it was good. I played two competitive matches. Physically, I need to get better.
”The three-time World Champion never recovered after he fell 3-0 behind during the second set and despite fighting back from 2-0, he simply could not deliver his best.
Murray has played series of high-profile tournaments of doubles after he paired with Serena Williams at Wimbledon’s mixed event and later opted to skip New York’s US Open so that he could focus on his career of singles.
Certainly, the three-time major winner will consider this defeat as one of the setbacks and shall build his fitness post the hip-surfacing surgery that he underwent in January.
Murray’s Schedules
Next Month, Andy plans to travel to the Republic of China where he is due to playing in Beijing and Zhuhai.
Andy Murray’s ranking and performance in 2019
Ranked no.328, Andy played his last match on the 29th of August when he lost Matteo Viola 3-6 6-4 7-63 in the 3rd round in Mallorca Challenger.