WASHINGTON, April 29, 2020 (by Michael Dickens)
Moments after comprehensively beating Rafael Nadal 3-0 – losing just one point – on Tuesday during the second day of the round-robin play in the Mutua Madrid Open Virtual Pro, Andy Murray took on a serious tone of voice during an online interview, in which he shifted the focus of of his attention from virtual games back to the reality of the ongoing tennis lockdown due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
“All tennis players want to get back to playing as soon as possible,” said Murray, who later shut out Denis Shapovalov 3-0 to reach Wednesday’s quarterfinals against Alexander Zverev. “Now, the most important thing is to get our normal life back, to be able to go out to restaurants, to have our normal freedoms. Over time, hopefully, things will allow for traveling and, hopefully, sports can go back to normal. I don’t see it happening soon.
“First, we need to find a way to stop the virus spreading. Then, we can do more normal things than thinking about competing in sports.
“A lot of people want to have sports, again, and athletes want to compete,” Murray continued. “You realize how much you love playing (tennis) and (fans) watching it. However, just because we don’t have sports doesn’t mean we have to speed things up. We need to sort out things properly. I think there’s a danger if we go back to doing things too quickly.”
No wonder @andy_murray is celebrating…
The Brit secures his second win of the #MMOpen Virtual Pro, defeating @RafaelNadal 3-0 in Group 1. pic.twitter.com/n1ATl13Cyi
— ATP Tour (@atptour) April 28, 2020
Meanwhile, on Monday, Nadal said he thinks it will be “very difficult” for tennis to return to competition any time soon. He’s also concerned about the risk of injuries once tennis resumes.
Nadal made his comments during a joint interview with NBA player Pau Gasol that was published in Spanish newspapers.
“I don’t think training would be a problem, but competing … I see it very difficult,” said Nadal. “It’s a moment to be responsible and coherent, so I don’t see how we can travel every week to a different country.
“I would be OK playing without fans, even though that’s not what we want, but unfortunately, from what I’m seeing, even though things are improving, for our sport, I don’t see it prudent to be competing again any time soon.”
Nadal’s sober honesty over the past month and a bit has been appreciated. As it was when he admitted he felt down and didn’t have much motivation to do anything in the first week. Not every athlete/player sounds as tuned in to reality in this moment. https://t.co/woL2IBFlcZ
— Tumaini Carayol (@tumcarayol) April 28, 2020
Behind The Racquet – Barbora Strycova
When Barbora Strycova of the Czech Republic was 12, she had to decide whether to play tennis or devote her energies to figure skating. Surprisingly, choosing tennis wasn’t an easy decision. She’s been through both the ups and downs of the sport, been married and divorced, too – even took some time off to clear her head. Above it all, she admits “there is no feeling like winning a match, it’s incredible.” Learn more about Strycova in her first-person essay written for the Instagram series Behind The Racquet.
Cirstea a big surprise as a virtual pro
Sorana Cirstea of Romania, ranked No. 75 on the real WTA Tour, saved three match points to beat Elina Svitolina 4-2 during the opening day of competition in the Mutua Madrid Open Virtual Pro on Monday. She also defeated Johanna Konta, losing just one point, en route to a 3-0 victory. Looking back, Cirstea said, “I didn’t even realize that there were three match points. I only remember one. I said, Sorana, if you don’t win this point, you’re going to be out!
“It was an unbelievable comeback. I didn’t even believe it. I’m very happy, because I know Elina is very good at this, and for me, the fact that I picked up a PlayStation one week ago, this means a lot.”
On Tuesday, Cirstea beat Victoria Azarenka 3-1 to finish undefeated (3-0) in group play and advance to Wednesday’s quarterfinal round against Bianca Andreescu.
🇷🇴 @sorana_cirstea dominates! 👊
The Romanian ends the round robin with a 100% record.#PlayAtHome 🎮 | #MMOPEN Virtual Pro pic.twitter.com/yRSHqNymXa
— #MMOPEN (@MutuaMadridOpen) April 28, 2020
Wednesday’s quarterfinal pairings for both men and women are set. For the men, it’s Andy Murray vs. Alexander Zverev, Diego Schwartzman vs. Fabio Fognini, Stefanos Tsitsipas vs. David Ferrer and David Goffin vs. Benoit Paire. For the women, its Fiona Ferro vs. Donna Vekic, Sorana Cirstea vs. Bianca Andreescu, Caroline Wozniacki vs. Johanna Konta and Kiki Bertens vs. Belinda Bencic.
🇬🇧 @andy_murray
🇩🇪 @AlexZverev
🇳🇱 @kikibertensThey want to become virtual champions too 🏆#PlayAtHome 🎮
— #MMOPEN (@MutuaMadridOpen) April 28, 2020
What they’re sharing on social media
Karen Khachanov / A clever use of Photoshop or the real thing?
7️⃣ weeks without tennis
4️⃣9️⃣ days without barber
1️⃣1️⃣7️⃣6️⃣ hours on quarantine pic.twitter.com/G9kpfd46KF— Karen Khachanov (@karenkhachanov) April 25, 2020
Belinda Bencic / Dressing for success
At least I can finally wear my @nikecourt dress while playing 👗♥️🎮 #playathome #playinside pic.twitter.com/X6uhJjsgUI
— Belinda Bencic (@BelindaBencic) April 28, 2020
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga / Backyard hit parade
🏀🎾 @NBA @atptour @JHarden13 #TsongaTeam #TennisAtHome pic.twitter.com/c83diVZjWs
— Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (@tsonga7) April 28, 2020