Andy Murray calls the 4 a.m. Australian Open match he finished in the second round a “farce.”
The 35-year-old need more than five hours and 45 minutes to defeat local favorite Thanasi Kokkinakis in five sets.
That came after Murray’s first-round triumph on Tuesday, when the British player defeated Italian Matteo Berrettini in four hours and 49 minutes.
Murray remarked, “I don’t know who it’s [the late finish] helpful for,” at the Rod Laver Arena following the game.
“We come here after the match, and that’s what the conversation is about, not the ‘amazing Murray-Kokkinakis match,'” the speaker said. It concludes with a small farce.
“It was amazing how many people stayed to the very end, and I sincerely appreciate everyone for doing so and making the event enjoyable for us. Some folks undoubtedly have to work the next day in addition to everything else.
Murray, who is ranked 159th in the world, defeated 25-year-old Kokkinakis, who was two sets down and appeared to be out of the match, 4-6 6-7 (4-7) 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 7-5, by going all out.
In the third round, he will take on Spanish 24-seed Roberto Bautista Agut.
Despite the match lasting close to six hours, the raucous spectators inside were treated to a spectacular show from both players. However, Murray also brought attention to another issue with prolonged matches.
“As a parent, I’d be upset if my child was a ball kid for a tournament and they returned home at five in the morning. They don’t benefit from it, the three-time Slam champion stated.
“It’s not good for the officials, the umpires. For the fans, I don’t think it’s wonderful. It is detrimental to the players.
Murray also mentioned the 22:20 match start time as a problem.
The Scot responded, “We talk about it all the time, and we have for years. “But these things are likely to happen when you start the night matches late and have [cold] circumstances like that.”
At the net, Thanasi Kokkinakis and Andy Murray exchange handshakes.
During their thrilling match at Margaret Court Arena, Andy Murray also had to contend with Thanasi Kokkinakis’ local crowd support.
Incredible At 4 a.m., Murray wins the Australian Open.
Reaction to Murray defeating Kokkinakis in a late-night match
I’d love to incite a rivalry like that between Federer and Nadal, writes Coco Gauff
Players cannot compete “into the wee hours of the morning” Jamie Murray had to witness his younger brother Andy become enraged on the court after the Scot dropped a point and questioned why he and Kokkinakis were “still playing at 3am.”
The 36-year-old Murray, who is competing in the men’s doubles event at the competition, posted the following on Twitter: “Time for tennis to switch to only one match at the night sessions at Grand Slams.
The best result for ALL singles players is this.
“Players can’t keep competing till the early hours of the morning. Everyone involved—players, fans, event workers, etc.—should be ashamed.
Martina Navratilova, who has won the singles title at the Grand Slam tournament 18 times, agreed with Jamie Murray that there should be other options for the sport.
The 66-year-old stated, “It is crucial that we develop better rules in tennis addressing the weather (light and wind) and starting or cut-off periods for matches.
Kokkinakis and Murray will wrap up about 4 a.m. No other sport does this, which is crazy.
Andy Murray has already brought up the subject of late-night tennis matches and playing hours.
The former world number one and doubles partner Joe Salisbury were on the court until 01:00 GMT during Great Britain’s Davis Cup loss to the United States last year.
Murray then added, “I think tennis has to sort of think about it a little bit.” I don’t believe it appears to be that professional.
