Andy Murray’s Grand Slam return ended with a second-round exit at the US Open on Wednesday, but the former world number one found reason for optimism in a four-set loss to Fernando Verdasco.
The Scot, playing his first Grand Slam since Wimbledon of last year and just his fifth tournament since hip surgery in June, gave himself a mixed report card.
“I think some of the tennis I played today was some of the best I’ve played since I had the surgery or since I came back,” Murray said.
“There were also periods in the match, especially in the first set, where I really didn’t play particularly well.
“I hit a lot of mistakes when I was up in that set. I feel like I should have won the first set and didn’t.”
With both players clearly feeling the effects of searing heat, Murray was pleased to have the stamina to push Verdasco at the end, forcing five break points in the final game before the Spaniard finally closed it out on his third match point.
“At the end when my back was against the wall, I came up with some good tennis to make it close and interesting – and almost got myself back into it,” said Murray, who still said that overall “there were too many ups and downs for my liking.”
Murray struggled for months with his injury before having surgery this year, and he admitted that he’s wondered whether he would be able to return to the game’s summit.
“You just don’t know,” the 31-year-old said. 
“When I got the injury, I was ranked number one in the world. Twelve months later, things completely changed. 
“If things keep going smoothly, physically I continue to improve, I believe that I will get back to competing for the biggest competitions because there’s no reason why I couldn’t.”
In the meantime, Murray is in the unfamiliar position of entering events not knowing what to expect.
His return to the US Open after a year’s absence, along with that of Novak Djokovic, marked a reunion of the game’s “Big Four” of Murray, Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
But Murray candidly admitted coming in he had no real expectation of winning, and he was pleased to find himself standing up to the physical rigours of best-of-five set matches in extreme heat conditions.
 
Difficult balance
“I think I did quite well in that respect,” Murray said. “To sort of still be doing as well as I was at the end of the match, considering the lack of practice and matches that I’ve had, was positive.”
Irked at dropping a first set in which he had a set point at 5-4, Murray said a more aggressive approach led to too many mistakes.
“It’s difficult sometimes to get the balance when you haven’t played as much matches, haven’t practised as much as you would like. It’s difficult to always make the right decisions when you’re on the court, playing more offensively.
“It’s something that is going to take a bit of time getting used to again.
“Like I say, it’s still quite early in this process for me,” Murray said. “I did all right. I chased balls down right to the end of the match. I wasn’t giving up on points. It wasn’t the most comfortable I’ve felt on a tennis court. I got through it and fought right to the end.”


Murray mistaken in 
heat-rule rant: Verdasco
Andy Murray was plenty steamed Wednesday at the idea that US Open officials weren’t enforcing their extreme heat rules effectively, but Fernando Verdasco said he could just chill out.
Murray and Verdasco availed themselves of the policy allowing players a 10-minute heat break in matches pushed beyond straight sets, Murray heading for a cold shower while Verdasco tried an ice bath.
Murray returned to Arthur Ashe Stadium fuming at the umpire, saying he’d seen Verdasco chatting with his coach – forbidden during heat breaks – and given the nearby supervisor what for.
“I went and told the supervisor. I said, What are you guys doing?” Murray said. “I mean, there’s clear rules here and you’re allowing this to take place. I don’t get it.
“This is one of the biggest events in the world. If you have rules like that, you need to stick with them because one player getting to speak to the coach and the other not is not fair.”
Murray was quick to say he didn’t think Verdasco purposely broke any rule. He thought since the extreme heat policy put in place by the US Open is not standard procedure on the ATP Tour, the Spaniard may not have been aware of the rule.
In fact, Verdasco said, he knew he wasn’t allowed to talk to his coach – and he didn’t.
“I didn’t speak anything to any member of my team,” Verdasco said after beating Murray in four sets.
He added that while he was in the ice bath he spoke to Marcos Baghdatis and his coach – but when he saw his own coach, Nacho Truyol, in the area he was careful not to say “one word” to him.
“I know exactly the rule and I don’t want to be the one breaking it,” Verdasco said.