by Andy Murray made a frustrated figure after his latest defeat as he criticized his own fitness, saying he “needs to push harder” in training.
Having regained some form during the second half of the 2022 season, Murray has produced some disappointing performances in the past few weeks. Last week he needed three sets to defeat the unknown Russian Roman Safiullin in the first round of the Swiss Indoors before losing 6-3, 6-2 to Roberto Bautista Agut.
And on Monday he suffered a 6-4, 5-7, 3-6 defeat at the hands of retired neighbor Gilles Simon despite being 5-3 ahead in the second set before he began to suffer from cramps.
His biggest concern is his fitness with the three-time Grand Slam winner admitting he needs to step up if he intends to continue competing at the highest level.
“Having that happen after a set and a half on an indoor court where it’s not particularly hot isn’t really acceptable,” he said.
“There is no guarantee that he will win that game, but when you lose games, and it seems to depend on your physicality, it is really, really disappointing.
“It has nothing to do with my hip. I think the reality is that I have to work harder. Obviously, there are some things I can and can’t do nowadays, I have to be a little more careful with some of the workouts I do.
“But I can certainly do more than what I’ve done and push myself harder than what I’ve done recently. What I am trying to do is extremely difficult. I have to do exceptional things to keep competing.
“To be completely honest, I don’t think that has necessarily happened in the last four or five months, since the problem somehow started in Newport, Washington now,” he said, later adding that he barely had any. done two correct gymnastics sessions from New York.
“I would usually spend more time on my training and more time, you know, like training blocks in hot climates and things like that. So that’s something I’ll have to look at. “
Having started the year off the top 100 of the ATP rankings, Murray has climbed back to number 48 and insists his body is adapting well to matches, it’s just the physical fitness that’s missing.
“I’m probably conditioned in some way for tennis, because my body is responding well to games. I know I’ll wake up tomorrow and feel good. But from the standpoint of resistance, that’s something I’m proud to be there for until the end of the games, “she said.
“I’m on top of all hydration and food, so I don’t feel like that’s the issue right now. I will have to push myself harder than I currently am because it happens almost every week.
The article Andy Murray annoyed by his “unacceptable” fitness: “The reality is that I have to work harder” first appeared on Tennis365.com.
