Australian Open 2019: Andy Murray wins only two games in practice match against Novak Djokovic
Trailing 6-1 4-1 and having held serve only once, Murray shook hands with Djokovic and his team to bring an end to the contest
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Andy Murray won only two games in a dispiriting practice match against Novak Djokovic that marked a setback to his Australian Open preparations.
The former world number one is playing at Melbourne Park for the first time since 2017 and a year on from hip surgery but looked laboured taking on his long-time rival under match conditions on Margaret Court Arena.
Trailing 6-1 4-1 and having held serve only once, Murray shook hands with Djokovic and his team to bring an end to the contest.
The pair have met four times in finals at Melbourne Park, with Djokovic winning them all, but those memories made this all the more disappointing.
Having played only six tournaments in 2018 and spent large chunks of time focusing on rehabilitation and reconditioning, Murray had hoped to be in better shape for the new season.
He admitted on arrival in Australia that he was still feeling pain but tried to be cautiously optimistic despite losing in the second round of the Brisbane International to Russia's Daniil Medvedev.
There was very little to be positive about against Djokovic, however. Murray lost his first service game to love and failed to hold serve at all in the opening set, breaking Djokovic once at 3-0.
The Serbian was not even playing at full intensity but Murray's movement around the baseline was simply nowhere near good enough to enable him to go toe-to-toe in rallies like he used to.
The limp that has dogged him for 18 months became more pronounced during the second set, with the Scot grimacing at times.
He finally held serve for the first time at 0-3 but, after losing the next game, shook hands with Djokovic.
The pair had come to the end of their allotted session but Djokovic continued to have a light hit with his team while Murray sat in animated discussion with his team for several minutes at the side of the court.
Murray has been drawn against 22nd seed Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain in the first round in Melbourne.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments