Andy Murray says he's 'not a robot' after fake laughing his way to big win in Miami - 'I'm a bit odd, a bit strange'
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Updated 21/03/2024 at 08:12 GMT
After a difficult start to the 2024 season, Andy Murray produced some vintage tennis to beat Matteo Berrettini in three sets in the opening round of the Miami Open on Wednesday. The former world No. 1 was often laughing between points and when asked about his behaviour afterwards, he said: "I’m not a robot. I’m a bit odd, a bit strange." Murray will play Tomas Martin Etcheverry next.
Fired up Murray defeats Berrettini to progress - Miami Open highlights
Andy Murray said he is “not a robot” and can be “a bit odd, a bit strange” on court after chuckling his way through a three-set win over Matteo Berrettini at the Miami Open.
The three-time Grand Slam winner is known for being an outspoken presence on court and is often seen chastising himself and shouting after points.
But in his win over Berrettini, which earned the world No. 62 a second-round tie against Tomas Martin Etcheverry, he was regularly forcing a laugh between points.
Asked afterwards by his former doubles partner Laura Robson about his new ‘fake laugh’ approach, Murray explained his thinking.
“You were saying I need to be happier on the court in the interview beforehand – so if I’m laughing, that’s not OK, if I’m shouting, that’s not OK, if I’m flat like I was in Australia, that’s not OK,” Murray said on Sky Sports. “It’s very hard for me to get the balance right.
“I’m very different on the tennis court. I’m not a robot. I’m a bit odd, a bit strange. But I play better when I’m like that.”
Murray’s victory was his fourth of a difficult 2024 season so far in which he has been frequently asked questions about when he plans to retire from the sport.
But a fine performance from the 36-year-old showed flashes of him at his best, with a selection of strong aces, punishing winners and impressive all-court movement.
Asked if it was his biggest win of the season so far, Murray said: “I played well at the first tournament of the year in Brisbane, I felt good.
“The first match last week [a win over David Goffin] was better as well.
"But in terms of the way I played in the important moments in that match, I did a good job. I was down 0-40 at the end, I think it was a 3-2 game, and I also created quite a lot of chances to go up a double break.
“I stayed tough there and played some good points, moved well, and dictated a lot of the match, which isn’t easy against him.”
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