Osaka on Murray: “He is relentless” | ATP Tour

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Osaka on Murray: “He’s relentless”

The WTA star reflects on the Scot’s legacy

May 09, 2024

WTA star Naomi Osaka was full of praise for former PIF ATP Rankings No. 1 Andy Murray on and off the court following his first-round victory at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia.

“It’s funny, I actually asked Wim [Fissette] where was Murray because I hadn’t seen him for a couple of tournaments. “I didn’t know he was out,” Osaka said in response to a question about his return later this month at the Gonet Geneva Open. “To me, Murray is a great guy, a tough competitor. I think it’s incredible that he loves tennis so much and that he keeps coming back. He’s had all those injuries. In a way he is relentless. “The ability for him to continue playing games at a high level.”

Murray injured his left ankle in March during a match at the Miami Open presented by Itaú. In his first social media post after the injury, he showed off his trademark resilience by writing, “I’ll be back with 1 hip and no ankle ligaments when the time comes.”

That attitude is one of the reasons Murray has earned millions of fans around the world, including Osaka.

“For me, when I think about him, when I think about the legacy he leaves in tennis,” Osaka said. “Obviously she has done a lot for British tennis. I think as a child watching her on television playing those incredible matches, she has affected all the child tennis players in the world.”

Throughout her career, Murray has also been a leader in supporting WTA stars and women’s tennis.

“He’s been very vocal,” Osaka said. “I know that all the tennis players and all the athletes really appreciate it.”