Former world number 1 Andy Murray conquered the Antwerp Tournament, his first since 2017 and his subsequent hip problems that forced him to undergo surgery, defeating Swiss Stan Wawrinka in the final.
The Scotsman, 32 years old and 243 in the world rankings, prevailed in a tough final 3-6, 6-4 and 6-4 in two hours and 27 minutes of play to add the 46th title in his career.
«This triumph means a lot to me. The last few years have been very difficult. I have had a lot of injury problems. Come back in a final like this has been incredible, “he said through tears.
With his triumph, Murray will go from occupying number 503 in the ATP in October to 127 this Monday.
This Sunday he had to overcome a set against and a 3-1 down in the third and final sleeve.
The two players, triple winners of Grand Slam tournaments, played in the final in Antwerp after several months of physical problems, in the hip for Murray and in a knee in the case of the Swiss.
Ten months after the hip operation that nearly forced him to retire, Murray was back in the final of an ATP tournament in singles, for the first time since March 2017, when he won what was his last title until this Sunday, in Dubai.
– Near the abyss in the second set –
Wawrinka, 18th in the ATP, has also suffered an ordeal of injuries. His last title was in May 2017. This Sunday he seemed in a better position to take the victory, when he managed an entry break to score the first set without major complications, asserting the safety of his blows.
Murray changed the script in the second set, when Wawrinka had two balls to go 4-1 ahead. He saved them and came out stronger.
“Stan was playing at a tremendous level, landing winning shots from anywhere on the court. I have resisted in a way during the second set, because I was really very even. I have managed to win and I did not expect to find myself in this situation, “he analyzed.
More comfortable, especially with his serve, he managed a break below to reach 3-3 and take the second set.
True to his fighting spirit, the player who at the Australian Open had practically announced his retirement went straight to victory. The third set was a succession of breaks, a battle worthy of the two tennis players who have been closest to the dictatorship imposed in the last 15 years by Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
Murray managed one more break (3 against 2) and raised his arms again. This time between tears. AFP