Murray Was Curious Why Men’s Semi-finals are Not Played on the Same Day

Written by: Staff on 28th January 2013

Murray Was Curious Why Men’s Semi-finals are Not Played on the Same Day

epa03558538 Andy Murray of Great Britain pumps fist in the men's final match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia during day fourteen of the 2013 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. EPA/Robert Prezioso Pool NO LICENSING FOR CONSUMER PRINTS. Editorial use only |

Andy Murray was no in the mood to make excuses as he came to terms with his Australian Open final defeat against Novak Djokovic. However the third ranked Scot, who suffered a debilitating blister on his left foot during the match did call on tournament director Craig Tiley and referee Wayne McKewen to review their policy of playing the semi-finals on different days.

Once again the arbiter of the decision appears to be television and Australian host broadcaster Channel 7 remain intent on screening both men’s semi-finals at prime time on the Thursday and Friday evenings of the tournament’s second week. Fairness, it appears, is a secondary consideration.

Murray obviously felt the strain of his draining semi-final against Roger Federer. The four-hour match finished late on Friday night and that gave the Scot 24 hours’ less time to recover from his match in the last four than Djokovic enjoyed.

The runner up also stiff hamstring during the final, said: “That’s something for the tournament to look at. The US Open have made some adjustments with the scheduling (putting a day between the semis and final) to try to make it easier for the players to recover.

“Sometimes the scheduling works for you, sometimes it doesn’t. Sometimes I’ve had luck with that, sometimes it has gone the other way. Anyone who watches the game, or any other sport, will know that, if you have longer to recover from matches, then it’s better, obviously.”

Curiously the player who won the second semi-final had ended in champion in four of the preceding five years at Melbourne Park but there does certainly appear to be an anomaly in recovery time when a player has come through a physically demanding match.

Towards the end of the three hours and 40 minutes long final that was brimful of long rallies, Murray noticeably slowed against an opponent who had made light work of David Ferrer in Thursday’s initial semi-final. Nevertheless he remained respectful to Djokovic’s display and was in no mood to bleat.

“I had no taping on my foot during Roger’s match and then I had it on in the final,” said Murray. “But 90% of the players will have some blister problem. It’s part and parcel of playing these big events against the best players in the world.”

©Daily tennis news wire

Topics: Andy Murray, Australian Open, Melbourne Park, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Sports, Tennis News, US Open