Murray Unhappy With US Open Scheduling

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 29th August 2013

Murray Unhappy With US Open Scheduling

epa03841212 Andy Murray, of the United Kingdom, hits a return to Michael Llodra, of France, during their match on the third day of the 2013 US Open Tennis Championship at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 28 August 2013. The US Open runs through Monday 09 September, a 15-day schedule for the first time. EPA/JUSTIN LANE |

Andy Murray enjoyed the sound of the on-court announcer introducing him to the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd as champion of the Olympics, the US Open and most recently Wimbledon. What he didn’t appreciate was the decision by tournament referee Brian Early and the rest of those who work on the schedule to start his title defence late on the third day while rivals had two days of rest between their first and second round matches.

In the event third seeded Murray didn’t spend too much time on court in his first match of the 2013 New York campaign, needing just one hour 38 minutes to dispose of France’ Michael Llodra and get his game nicely into gear.

But rain delays and Juan Martin Del Potro’s extended five sets win over Spain’s Guillermo Garcia-Lopez meant Murray actually got on court much later than originally scheduled at 9.47pm local time and despite his swift progress, he completed the victory at 11.33pm.

Murray revealed he had originally asked for a Tuesday start but was told that wouldn’t be possible. “It’s nothing to do with me being defending champion, there were quite a few matches still going on Wednesday evening,” Murray said.

“Anyone that knows sport knows that playing seven matches over 13 days is harder than playing seven matches over 15 days.

“You obviously get less time to recover and rest, but you deal with it, do all the recovery stuff and get as much sleep as possible. Now I’m in a routine of playing every other day, which you do at all the other Slams.”

Unlike Wimbledon and the Australian Open, but in common with the French Open, the men’s first-round matches are spread over three days rather than two at Flushing Meadows. And of course there is no traditional 1pm start on the opening day of the event for the men’s champion as there is at the All England Club.

Murray found an ally in former women’s champion Martina Navratilova who said: “The fact that they plan on playing the first round after three days is wrong. We’ve had some women finish first two rounds and Andy hasn’t played his first-round match yet. That shouldn’t happen.

“TV scheduling plays a part but you should play the first round of the tournament and adapt it to TV. I don’t agree with it. They do have that extra day on the tail end for the first time this year, but it’s just not a good way to plan it – and then hope

“It really throws up your rhythm. Some players play their first-round match on Monday and then don’t play ’til Thursday. It’s hard to get into a routine.”

Nevertheless Murray was heartened by the quality of tennis he played, committing only five errors and converting six of eight break point opportunities. When Llodra knew he was well and truly beaten, the Frenchman went through his complete repertoire of unusual shots but to no avail.

“It was tough to concentrate because he is so unpredictable,” said Murray. “He hits through-the-legs shots, under-arm serves and backspin drop shots. He’s capable of anything so you just have to concentrate. It’s really special to be back here. Last year when I won I was in a bit of shock, now I can really enjoy the court and the surroundings. It know it is late but it was great playing to a packed-out crowd.”

Topics: 10sballs, Andy Murray, Australian Open, French Open, Juan Martin Del Potro, Sports, Tennis, US Open, Wimbledon

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