Andy Murray wins European Open for first title since hip surgery
Just months after it appeared as though injuries might spell the end of his career, Andy Murray completed his comeback Sunday by topping Stan Wawrinka to win the European Open for his first ATP singles title since 2017.
Murray, 32, was the world’s top-ranked player as recently as November 2016 but last won a tournament in March 2017 at the Dubai Tennis Championships. Since then, a hip injury has required two surgeries and brought him all the way down to No. 243 in the ATP rankings.
Ever a fighter, Murray battled back in Antwerp, Belgium after losing the first set and trailing 1-3 in the second to win 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.
HE'S DONE IT! 🏆
Andy Murray has his hands on silverware again!
He beats Stan Wawrinka 6-3 4-6 4-6 to take the #EuropeanOpen2019 final!
LIVE reaction: https://t.co/7ml9SISMEv#bbctennis pic.twitter.com/4CLaAKUiIu— BBC Tennis (@bbctennis) October 20, 2019
Murray looked like his younger self again, breaking through with nine aces and holding an edge by winning 72 percent of games on his first serve. Nominally, his world ranking should climb closer to 100, but the fact that he’s playing at an elite level again is what matters most.
Murray was clearly emotional after the tournament and reveled in the crowd’s reaction. As he told the Daily Mail: “After all that's happened it is one of my biggest wins.”
Wawrinka, who is ranked No. 18 in the world, was battling a long title drought of his own as well. The 34-year-old has not won since the Geneva Open in May 2017.
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