ndy Murray is preserving his fingers crossed an damage he picked up in his last defeat by Matteo Berrettini on the Boss Open in Stuttgart is not going to have an effect on the remainder of his grass-court marketing campaign.
The 2-time Wimbledon champion had made it via to the ultimate of a grass-court match for the primary time since lifting his second title on the All England Membership in 2016, beating Stefanos Tsitsipas and Nick Kyrgios.
He was bidding to win his first title since 2019 however, after forcing a deciding set, started to expertise discomfort and twice wanted remedy earlier than succumbing to a 6-4 5-7 6-3 defeat.
Murray seemed to be pointing to his left hip space in conversations with the physio however, talking later, revealed it was belly ache that had affected him.
He mentioned: “I bought some ache in my ab once I was serving. Not one thing I’ve had earlier than. I will have to get it checked once I get house.
“Clearly I’ve performed plenty of matches. That is essentially the most matches I’ve performed in two weeks since in all probability 2016. That is a very very long time. It is in all probability regular that I’d really feel some stuff in my physique however I do not actually know the severity of it.
“Hopefully it is all proper. Clearly some good wins, it was a superb week, however not the way in which I wished to complete the week. I felt like I used to be enjoying effectively sufficient to win and I bought myself in a very good place going into the third set so a irritating finish to what was a superb week.”
Murray known as the physio to the court docket after dropping serve to begin the deciding set after which requested remedy mid-game at 2-4.
It appeared the 35-year-old would possibly resolve to retire, however he fought on till the end line, which got here when Berrettini broke for a second time within the set.
With solely two weeks till Wimbledon, and with Murray on account of play at Queen’s Membership subsequent week, the Scot should hope this isn’t a difficulty that may put him again on the sidelines.
He had fought again very effectively to pressure a decider after dropping serve within the third sport of the match as Berrettini, enjoying in his first match since March following hand surgical procedure, confirmed once more how effectively suited his sport is to grass.
Talking on court docket, Murray mentioned: “Sorry I could not recover from the road right now, however there’s been plenty of progress the previous couple of weeks. I am wanting ahead to what the long run has to carry, I am feeling quite a bit higher about my sport. Hopefully my physique can maintain up a short time longer so I can preserve enjoying matches like this.”
Regardless of the defeat, Murray will return to the world’s high 50 on Monday for the primary time in 4 years.
