Wimbledon 2012 final was the worst defeat in my career, says World No.1 Andy Murray
New World No. 1 Andy Murray has ranked the loss to Roger Federer in the final of Wimbledon 2012 as the worst defeat of his career. While calling the Olympics gold medals as his best achievement, Murray also added that he would have played basketball or football as a career alternative.
On Saturday, Andy Murray ended a seven-year wait to become World No.1 in men's singles rankings when he entered the finals of the Paris Masters. The Brit capped it off by winning his maiden Paris Masters title on Sunday, defeating USA's John Isner in the final. On his way to the top, Murray had to suffer many near misses and huge defeats.
When asked about his worst defeat on a tennis court, Murray said that the loss in the final of Wimbledon 2012 affected him a lot.Â
“Maybe losing in the Wimbledon final [to Roger Federer in 2012]. It’s a bad memory, but it’s also the start of a period where I started to have a lot of success just after that. But the actual moment on the court when I was very emotional. That continued for me for a few days
When asked which was his career's best moment, Murray mentioned the Olympic gold-medal win in the same year as his moment of elation. He would return in 2016 to defend his title against a comeback del Potro, but Murray appeared to rate the first one higher.
“Probably winning the Olympics, I would say. It would be number one for me. It was obviously different (to winning Wimbledon). Wimbledon as a sort of personal goal or achievement would have been bigger, but I think the happiness that I felt, the good emotions that I had, positive emotions, I would have said more after the Olympics because it was more happiness. I got to share it with more people whereas winning Wimbledon, it felt like a huge relief,” he said.
Murray also revealed that the middle period of his career was the most stressful, but revealed that he is enjoying his time on the court now.
“At the beginning of my career I really enjoyed it, and then there was a period in the middle when everything I found quite stressful. I would have made sure I made more of that time and had more fun when I was on the tour,” Murray said.
When asked to choose an alternative career, Murray said, “I would
When asked who he would love to have as a dinner guest, Murray picked British comedian Ricky Gervais.
“Probably Ricky Gervais, someone who’s funny. I’m sure he’s got a lot of very interesting stories and I think he’s got a pretty cool outlook on life,” he said.