MELBOURNE – Five-time runner-up Andy Murray and 2014 champion Stan Wawrinka have enjoyed plenty of deep runs at previous Australian Opens, but the veteran pair were both dumped out in the first round on Jan 15.
Murray fell 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 to Argentinian Tomas Etcheverry, while Wawrinka took 20th seed Adrian Mannarino to five sets before going down 6-4, 3-6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-0.
The last time Murray, 36, went out in the opening round of the Melbourne Park Grand Slam was in 2019 when he expressed doubts about his tennis future, before going on to resurrect his career after having hip-resurfacing surgery.
He has struggled to reach the latter stages at majors in recent years, but dragged himself into the third round here in 2023 with back-to-back five-set wins.
He had a frustrating end to 2023, winning just one match in his last four tournaments, and said in Brisbane in January he will bring down the curtain on his career if the next 12 months follow the same pattern.
“It’s a definite possibility that will be the last time I play here. In comparison to the matches that I played here last year, it’s the complete opposite feeling walking off the court,” he said.
“Wish I involved the crowd more. Just disappointed with the way I played. Tough, tough way to finish.”
He said he had spoken to his family and coaching staff about when he might quit.
“I haven’t made any definite decisions on that. It’s not like it hasn’t been something that’s been on my mind,” he added.
“I haven’t gained in belief from today’s match that at some stage I’m going to start playing really well again or winning tournaments or getting to the latter stages of major events.”
The Scot, who won Wimbledon in 2013 and 2016 and also took the US Open title in 2012, is part of a golden era coming towards the end of trophy-laden careers.
Roger Federer retired in 2022 and Rafael Nadal had an injury-blighted 2023 and pulled out of the Australian Open with a muscle tear. At 36, Novak Djokovic is still hoping to add to his record haul of 24 Grand Slam titles before hanging up his racquet.
Wawrinka was the only player in the men’s draw other than Djokovic to have won here and hoped this recent loss would not be his final appearance at the Grand Slam.
“I’ll see how the year goes. It’s just the beginning of the year. In general, I’m quite positive with where I am right now,” the 38-year-old Swiss said.
“Even after the loss, there is some good opportunity for me to keep pushing, keep playing some good results and hopefully I can come back next year.”
Members of the new generation, meanwhile, had some hiccups before coming through. Two-time finalist Daniil Medvedev fell behind to French qualifier Terence Atmane before advancing, after his opponent retired in tears as he suffered from bad cramps while losing 5-7, 6-2, 6-4, 1-0.
Seventh seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, who lost the 2023 final to Djokovic, was stunned by Belgian lucky loser Zizou Bergs in the first set, but woke up to win 5-7, 6-1, 6-1, 6-3.
Home hopeful Alex de Minaur was leading 6-7 (6-8), 6-3, 2-0 when his opponent, former Wimbledon finalist Milos Raonic, retired in the third set. REUTERS
