“Hopefully this is the start of a better run” – first win of 2024 is sweet relief for Murray

A six-match losing streak that ran from last October to this week was weighing on the three-time Slam champion Andy Murray in myriad ways. He had lamented his near misses, wondered when his luck might finally turn and hit back at the press, who had the nerve to wonder if the Great Scot was “tarnishing his legacy” by continuing to play on at the age of 36, but all the while Murray held steadfast to his belief that he is playing for the right reasons, and that his game is more than good enough to compete against the tour’s top talents.

On Tuesday in Doha Murray was granted a reprieve from the tennis gods as he took a step in the right direction, earning a much-needed 6-1, 7-6(5) victory over French qualifier Alexandre Muller for his first win of 2024.

ust proud that I managed to get through the match, get another win under my belt, and I’m happy for my team who have been working extremely hard with me in trying to find solutions to get me through this difficult moment.

— Andy Murray

Bye-bye losing streak, hello hope. Will it be the first of many? The beginning of a rise that will make the haters eat their words?

It’s too early to tell, but it is a positive development in a season that until now, was defined by negatives…

Murray expressed his happiness on court after the match and raised his arms in mock triumph when he was asked about finally getting his first win of the season.

“Obviously the past few months have been really tough on the court for me,” said Murray in his on-court interview. “I’ve not won many matches and lost a lot of close ones as well and it was getting tight at the end there as well, so obviously delighted to get through.

“Just proud that I managed to get through the match, get another win under my belt, and I’m happy for my team who have been working extremely hard with me in trying to find solutions to get me through this difficult moment – Hopefully this is the start of a better run.”

A Doha milestone

Murray, a two-time Doha champion (2008-2009) moved into second on the all-time win list at Doha, improving to 25-5 lifetime at the event. He will take on Czech qualifier Jakub Mensik, the youngest player in the top 200 on Wednesday.

The Scot was one of three former champions to notch much-needed victories on Tuesday.

2013 champion Richard Gasquet also picked up his first win of 2024, with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Alexander Shevchenko. 2018 champion Gael Monfils also got through in straight sets, winning a wild one over Botic Van de Zandschulp, 6-1, 7-6(9).