'It may be the last time' - Andy Murray admits Kazakhstan singles rubber win may be his final Davis Cup match
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Updated 18/09/2022 at 20:37 GMT
"They’ve been some of the best memories I’ve had on a tennis court." Andy Murray paid tribute to the Davis Cup crowd in Glasgow after playing what could be his last match for Great Britain in the event. GB had already been eliminated ahead of Murray's dead rubber, but the former world No. 1 won his match against Kazakhstan's Dmitry Popko in front of a fervent home crowd in Scotland.
The Laver Cup is coming
Andy Murray admitted that it "may be the last time" he plays in front of a Davis Cup crowd in Glasgow following Great Britain’s elimination from this year's event.
Murray, who beat Kazakhstan's Dmitry Popko 6-4 6-3 on Sunday afternoon in a match rendered meaningless following GB's prior group-stage losses to the USA and the Netherlands, won 32 of his 35 singles matches in the Davis Cup and led his side to the title in 2015 with stellar performances in Glasgow against the United States and Australia along the way.
But in his twilight years and struggling with injury and consistency, Murray’s Davis Cup selection in the coming seasons is in doubt.
He lost both of his doubles matches alongside Joe Salisbury in this year's edition, and with Cameron Norrie and Dan Evans currently well ahead of him in the ATP Tour singles rankings and Jack Draper coming up fast, Murray faces a challenge to stay in captain Leon Smith's thoughts.
While Murray was disappointed to be playing a dead rubber, he thanked the fans for their "amazing" support in front of a full house at the Emirates Arena.
“I found it difficult at the beginning,” Murray said. “It’s just hard to know how to play emotionally because you can’t fake it. I wanted to win today but, if I lose, it doesn’t really matter. That’s what I enjoy about sports.
“But it was brilliant. They [the fans] did an amazing job today. It was the fullest it had been all week. I’m glad I was able to get out there and play in front of them.
“Maybe that’s the last time I play here or get to play for Britain in front of a crowd like that.
“If it’s the last time, it’s been amazing what they’ve done for our team. The crowd in a lot of our matches has made a big difference. They’ve been some of the best memories I’ve had on a tennis court."
Murray said the thought of it potentially being his final match in the competition affected his performance towards the end of the match with Popko.
“I only thought about it at about 5-2 today in the second set,” Murray said.
“I wasn’t thinking about it before the weekend or during any of the doubles matches or anything. I kind of realised that as I was playing the match.
“I felt that a little bit at the end. I lost my focus a bit and felt a little bit emotional about that.”
Britain are set to host the group stage of the finals again in 2023, although the venue is likely to change.
However, they need to win a play-off to secure host status.
DAVIS CUP ROUND-UP
Great Britain went on to win their dead rubber tie with Kazakhstan 2-1, if only for bragging rights and third spot.
Alexander Bublik beat British number one Cameron Norrie 6-4, 6-3 to level the tie before Neal Skupski and Joe Salisbury beat Alexander Bublik and Aleksandr Nedovyesov 7-6 (7-2), 6-7 (9-11), 7-6 (7-4) to secure third spot for Great Britain in Group D.
Italy maintained their perfect record in Group A with a 2-1 win over Sweden.
Matteo Berretini won his singles clash 6-4, 6-4 against Elias Ymer before Mikael Ymer levelled the tie with an unexpected 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 win against Jannik Sinner.
But Italian doubles pair Simone Bolelli and Fabio Fognini produced the goods against Andre Goransson and Dragos Nicolae Madaras, beating the Swedes 7-6, 6-2 to secure the tie.
Elsewhere, Spain flattened South Korea 3-0 in Valencia with Roberto Bautista Agut and Carlos Alcaraz each winning their singles ties.
And Germany beat Australia 2-1 to secure top spot in Group C, with Jan-Lennard Struff besting Max Purcell before Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz got the better of their Australian counterparts in the doubles.
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