Andy Murray fights back tears after journalist’s question in press conference

Former world number one Andy Murray could’t believe his ears as emotion came pouring out during his post-game press conference.

Britain's Andy Murray reacts as he speaks during a press conference after his defeat against Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas in their men's singles tennis match on the fifth day of the 2023 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 7, 2023. (Photo by Joe TOTH / various sources / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE

Andy Murray was a defeated man, but one moment during his press conference following his loss to Stefanos Tsitsipas completely broke him.

The lion hearted Scot threw everything he had at the fifth ranked Greek star, falling in five gruelling sets that spanned two days.

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The two-time Wimbledon champion had his younger opponent on the ropes, leading two sets to one before play was suspended due to the tournament’s curfew.

Tsitsipas found his mojo when the match resumed and flipped the script on Murray as he claimed the 7-6, 6-7, 4-6, 7-6, 6-4 win to advance to the third round.

But it was one moment in the tense fourth set that left the former world number one burying his face into his hands.

In the ninth game of the set against Tsitsipas’ serve, Murray held the advantage at 15-30 as he unleashed a crosscourt backhand.

Tsitsipas managed to return the shot but the ball was called out. Murray looked to his box before deciding not to challenge the call.

Replays rolled and showed the ball had clipped the line, the game went to 30-30 instead of a potential 15-40 and two break points for Murray.

Murray however only learned the news his shot was good during his post-game press conference when a journalist asked him about the moment.

Murray couldn’t believe his ears. (Photo by Joe TOTH / various sources / AFP).

“Big moment at 4-all in the fourth when you had a bit of momentum going at 15-30 and your return got called out but it was actually in. Did you realise at the time how close that was?” the journalist asked.

Murray, almost shocked, responded: “The 15-30 point my return was in?”

“Yep,” came the response. Prompting Murray to drop his head into his hands and linger out an “oh...”.

The heartbreak was evident for the tennis world to see as the moment of realisation at the missed opportunity washed over the star.

That moment from press conference when they told him about that point at 15-30 that was actually in. Heartbreaking to see Andy like this 😢💔 pic.twitter.com/rzUSKqq6mo

— Andy Murray Fan Club (@MagicMurrayFans) July 7, 2023

The defeat means 36-year-old Murray has not made the second week of a Grand Slam since reaching the quarter-finals at Wimbledon in 2017.

It will also raise questions over his long-term future in the sport despite valiant attempts to rebuild his career following two hip surgeries.

“I don’t know,” said Murray when asked if he would be back at the All England Club next year.

“Motivation is obviously a big thing. Continuing having early losses in tournaments like this don’t necessarily help with that.” He admitted that a second round defeat at Wimbledon to John Isner last year had prompted a similar bout of soul-searching.

“I had a long think about things, spoke to my family, decided to keep on going. “I don’t plan to stop right now. But this one will take a little while to get over.

“Hopefully I will find the motivation again to keep training, keep pushing, try and keep getting better.”

Tsitsipas will now take on Laslo Djere in a third round encounter.

– with AFP