Andy Murray’s much-anticipated return to competitive tennis met an untimely end at the Geneva Open, dashing hopes of a showdown with Novak Djokovic. The former world number one fell to Germany’s Yannick Hanfmann, 7-5, 6-2, in a match interrupted by a thunderstorm.
On Monday, Murray trailed 7-5, 4-1 before rain halted play. When the match resumed Tuesday, the 85th-ranked Hanfmann swiftly closed out the second set in just over 10 minutes. This result ended the possibility of what might have been the last clash between members of tennis’s legendary Big Four: Djokovic, Murray, Rafael Nadal, and the retired Roger Federer.
Hanfmann now advances to face world number one Djokovic in the tournament’s second round on Wednesday.
Currently ranked 75th, the 37-year-old Murray is playing with a metal hip and has hinted that his days on the professional circuit are numbered. Nadal, also dealing with persistent injuries, faces a similar fate and remains uncertain about participating in the upcoming French Open.
This Geneva contest marked Murray’s first tour-level event since injuring his left ankle tendons in Miami earlier this year. The Swiss clay court tournament serves as a key preparation for the French Open, the second Grand Slam event of the year.
Djokovic, who celebrates his 37th birthday on Wednesday, received a wild card entry into the Geneva Open as he aims to regain form ahead of his title defense in Paris. The 24-time Grand Slam champion has yet to secure a tournament win this season, a first since 2018 if he leaves Geneva without the trophy.
Joining the Geneva draw are notable players like Norwegian world number seven Casper Ruud, and top 20 competitors Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton, and Sebastian Baez.
Murray and Djokovic last faced off in the 2017 Doha final, which Djokovic won. Murray’s illustrious career includes Grand Slam victories at the US Open in 2012 and Wimbledon in 2013 and 2016. He has made 11 Grand Slam final appearances and won Olympic singles titles in 2012 and 2016.
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