Murray’s dry humor has been established since his junior days.
“Who is the greatest player in Scottish history?” a reporter investigates.
“I?” he answered.
Murray added: “My mum is an okay player, but we have a senior player who is ranked 220th in the world. Apart from her, there is no one really that good.”
That “senior man” was Alan Mackin, whose tour level win-loss record stood at 1-15. Murray retired with a tally of 739-262.
Murray’s first in a junior title fight in 2004 was 15-year-old Argentinian Juan Martin del Potro, who he beat 6-0, 6-1.
Twelve years later, Murray beat Del Potro again in the final of the Rio Olympics – at what point both have won the US Open men’s title.
And if anyone knows the name of Stakhovsky, the man who stood in Murray’s way in the final, there’s a good reason for that.
Ukrainians achieved a stunning 2013 win against Roger Federer at Wimbledon, while boasting that he “kicked the ass” of the Swiss. When Federer was suffering from back pain, Murray also won the title.
Murray’s retirement occurred a few weeks ago. His body had been sending coded red messages for years; the mind finally takes notice.
The game was born in Dunblane and kept in Spain, but New York was where observers began to compare him with the British leader, Henman.
“I get compared to him a lot, and that’s great,” Murray said in 2004. “I think I can do it. But right now I’m not as good as Tim.”
Henman reached six Slam semifinals – the last coincidentally coming at the 2004 US Open – but the final remained elusive.
After defeating Stakhovsky, Murray acknowledged the burden facing him.
“This tournament is a big thing for me, but in a few years everyone will forget about it and they will be looking for me to win the senior Grand Slam,” he said. “I’m confident I can reach the top straight away.”
