In 2019, a then 32-year old Andy Murray went under the knife for his second hip surgery within two years. This type of injury is typically career-ending for most tennis players, and the British superstar has been struggling with persistent lower back pain since 2013's French Open. Murray first sought surgery treatment in Australia in 2018, then most recently in London in 2019.
Back then, it was no surprise that many fans and pundits were expecting the worst for the former Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) world number one. Fast forward to 2021, and tennis fans are saying that what Murray pulled off was nothing short of a miracle.
In the 2019 documentary Resurfacing, which chronicles Murray's journey to overcome his injury, the British star made a selfie video telling his fans how he couldn't sleep the night before his first surgery. Perhaps, the same was how he felt when he captured his first Grand Slam title at the 2012 US Open. The win redefined Murray's career as he dismissed critics who pegged him as a runner-up who wasn't fit for the Grand Slams. After winning his maiden major title, both fans and critics knew he'd win more. However, many of us couldn't know or predict that Murray's lion heart would see him defy all odds and overcome a career-threatening injury that had plagued him for years.
A career of hard work
As a 15-year old youngster, Murray moved to Barcelona to train at the prestigious Academia Sánchez-Casal and pursue what would become a stellar career in tennis. At the time, only two names reigned supreme in the men's singles tournaments: Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. But after four years, the Scotland-born player was able to break into the ATP Top 10 and would soon be among the top four players to dominate the sport along with Federer, Nadal, and a young Novak Djokovic in the 2010s.
But the road to his first title was not swift as he struggled to win a major title. He went on to reach four Grand Slam finals, but failed to secure wins against Federer and Djokovic. Then, on a Tuesday morning in September 2012, he finally won his first by defeating a strong Djokovic at the US Open. Before the victory, no British player had won a Grand Slam since Virginia Wade in 1977. The triumph was a long-time coming not only for Murray, but for the entire nation of tennis-lovers.
With two Olympic gold medals from the 2012 London Olympics (against Federer, no less), and at the 2016 Rio Olympics against Juan Martin del Potro, two Wimbledon titles, one US Open title, and a total of 41 weeks as the ATP number one in his belt, Murray was clearly on his way to a career pinnacle.
However, his back injury worsened as he ended 2016 as world number one; an injury serious enough to see him drop from the Top 100 by 2018.
Resurfacing
Murray's back injury started in May 2013 when he had to retire from a second-round match against Spanish player Marcel Granollers at the Rome Masters. Occurring weeks before the French Open was about to start, Murray later announced that he would be withdrawing from Roland Garros due to the injury as well.
The next time Murray returned to the court was at the 2013 Aegon Championships in June. Fresh from a near month-long recovery period, the champion captured his third Queens Club title and was well on his way towards Wimbledon. He came in strong, with an 11-game winning streak on a grass surface, reaching the finals for another face-off against Djokovic and eventually winning his first Wimbledon title in an epic match that lasted over three hours.
Murray's winning streak and major finals appearances were cut short during the quarterfinal round at the 2013 US Open against Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka. Later that year, he was forced to cut his season short because his back injury flared up during brutal battles at the US Open and the Davis Cup World Group Play-offs, leaving him no other option but to undergo surgery. From 2014, he would be battling a chronic injury that would later lead to two major surgeries.
In Resurfacing, viewers saw how difficult Murray's struggles were in coping with his hip injury; being the number one player in the world for one minute, then not being able to put on his socks in the next painted a disarming perspective for both the champion's physical and mental challenges. One scene shows Murray taking an emotional 3 a.m. selfie video after defeating Marius Copil in Washington, telling viewers that his body and mind can no longer do it, and how it feels to be at the end of his career. But, he kept on going.
The miracle
Reminiscent of other sports documentaries like Gleason, Resurfacing presented Murray's resolve in overcoming all the obstacles in his life and career, because that is precisely what champions are made of. It's an advanced lesson in resiliency that everyone can appreciate, focusing on a champion's critical moments during his triumphs and defeats, as well as the praise and respect he earned from his fellow Big Four.
Aside from how the filmmakers provided a 'behind the scenes' glimpse at Murray's life with his team, family, and friends, viewers also get to witness the struggles. There were the cortisone injections, nerve ablations, and experimental therapy courtesy of unorthodox American reconditioning expert Bill Knowles, that even included a break dance session (you have to see it to believe it). In other words, Resurfacing serves viewers a hefty portion of both Murray's determination and sacrifices to get back in the game.
Since his second hip surgery in 2019, Murray is slowly returning to competitive form, as evidenced by his impressive showing at the 2021 Vienna Open, where he defeated ATP number 10 Hubert Hurkacz of Poland in three grueling sets, 6-4 6-7 (6-8) 6-3.
Former coach Alex Corretja praises the champion's comeback, saying that Murray's return to form and how he keeps on winning matches against top-seeded players is unbelievable. Perhaps, Murray has learned to find relief by simply enjoying his matches instead of pursuing gargantuan goals. He has been more relaxed on the court in recent appearances, yet still possesses a playing style that is aggressive and powered by excellent footwork and groundstrokes.
With the 2022 season fast approaching, fans can either expect a return to top form or retirement from the champion. Present day continues to be unkind to Murray – giving him a metal hip, another groin injury he sustained while sleeping, and a COVID-19 infection. Indeed, more well-deserved rest and recovery periods are necessary before the Australian Open kicks off on January 17. Only then will we find out if the Murray Miracle continues and leads him to yet another major title.
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