Andy Murray loses in Brisbane, Rafa Nadal pulls out
Scottish star defeated in second match of his latest comeback as other Brits also tumble out
Andy Murray’s preparations for the Australian Open have come to a halt at the Brisbane International after he was beaten by Daniil Medvedev in the second round.
Murray, who has slipped to 240 in the rankings, lost 7-5 6-2 to the 22-year-old world No. 16.
“The defeat brings to a halt the Scot’s latest comeback, having returned to competitive action this week after three months out from the sport,” says The Independent. “Murray brought his 2018 season to an early end in order to focus on his recovery from a long-term hip injury.”
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The 31-year-old beat James Duckworth in the first round and afterwards admitted he was not sure how long he could continue in the sport. But despite his “comprehensive” defeat to Medvedev in just 81 minutes, there “were encouraging signs that his body is holding up to the rigours of top-level tennis”, says The Sun, which notes that Murray underwent hip surgery last year and played only six tournaments in 2018.
According to the BBC: “Murray competed well in the opening set against a player regarded as one of the rising stars on the ATP Tour, but his lack of fitness and match practice eventually showed, understandably, in the early stage of another return.”
Another injury-plagued superstar, Rafa Nadal, was forced to pull out of the tournament with a thigh strain. The world No. 2 has been ordered to rest the injury in order to be fit for the Australian Open which starts on January 14.
The Daily Mail notes that the Spaniard “was limited to nine tournaments last year due to a string of injuries which included ankle surgery in November”.
The only other two Britons left in the tournament, Kyle Edmund and Johanna Konta, also lost in the second round.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Why Man United finally lost patience with ten Hag
Talking Point After another loss United sacked ten Hag in hopes of success in the Champion's League
By The Week UK Published
-
Who are the markets backing in the US election?
Talking Point Speculators are piling in on the Trump trade. A Harris victory would come as a surprise
By The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: November 3, 2024
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
Andy Murray: Britain's greatest sportsperson?
Talking Points Injury denies Scot a final singles appearance at Wimbledon but his place in history is assured
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Mason Greenwood: footballer arrested on suspicion of rape and assault
Speed Read Man Utd confirm the striker will not train or play until further notice
By The Week Staff Published
-
Novak Djokovic’s next big battle: fighting deportation from Australia
feature Serb’s visa is cancelled and his appeal has been adjourned until Monday
By Mike Starling Published
-
Handball: swapping bikini bottoms for tight pants
Speed Read Women competitors will be required to ‘wear short tight pants with a close fit’
By The Week Staff Published
-
Cristiano Ronaldo’s second coming
Speed Read Last week, Manchester United re-signed the forward on a two-year deal thought to be worth more than £400,000 a week
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Bank holidays and boycotts: are MPs trying to jinx England?
Speed Read Declaring a bank holiday would be ‘tempting fate’, says Boris Johnson
By The Week Staff Published
-
Weightlifting: Olympic Games set for transgender first
Speed Read New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard will make history at Tokyo 2020
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sport shorts: Champions League expansion plan to be agreed
Speed Read News and reactions from the world of sport, featuring Joachim Low and the Lions women’s team
By Mike Starling Published