Murray Thrives on a Hostile Crowd

Written by: Staff on 5th June 2012

Murray Thrives on a Hostile Crowd |

Those who have tried, and are still trying, to coach Andy Murray in his tennis career have finally found the secret of what is guaranteed to produce his best tennis. A crowd in excess of 10,000 who are prepared to boo him from the moment he steps on the court to when he leaves.

Such was the case at Roland Garros on Court Philippe Chatrier and despite being Public Enemy No.1 for several hours at the French Open, the 25 year-old Scot reveled in his unpopularity to shrug off a lame first set to completely out-play home favorite Richard Gasquet.

“It’s the most fun I’ve had on the court in a while, so I wasn’t shying away from the fact that the crowd wanted me to lose,” said 1-6,6-4,6-1,6-2 winner Murray who now goes on to play Spain’s David Ferrer. “I’ve played Davis Cup a few times away from home but that was probably one of the most hostile atmospheres that I’ve known.”

Murray has been troubled with back issues since losing to Gasquet in the Rome Masters two weeks previously and considered not playing his second round match against Jarkko Niemenin. Even though he was lambasted by the crowd every time he reached for the painful muscles, he ended up smiling.

I started to use the energy from the crowd, it was like playing in a football match and I like football,’ he said. “I went for my shots and deserved to get back into it. My back is a bit stiff but it is much better than it was.”

Word of the ‘drama queen’ comments from former Wimbledon champion Virginia Wade appeared to have drifted across the English Channel and the crowd whistled and booed Murray at every opportunity.

Gasquet also became annoyed when Murray summoned the umpire Carlos Bernardes to check a mark on the court but got little sympathy afterwards. “If he’s upset with that then it’s his problem,” said Murray.

Topics: Andy Murray, Richard Gasquet, Roland Garros