Andy Murray booed at Australian Open 2022: what tennis ace said on fans booing after Nikoloz Basilashvili win

Two time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray makes it through to the second round of the Australian Open despite hearing boos from some fans in the crowd
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Andy Murray returned to the Australian Open with a bang as he put on a thrilling and intense five-set display to beat his opponent, Nikoloz Basilashvili.

Murray’s triumph was however surprisingly met with boos during his post-match interview for a seemingly unknown reason.

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It was Murray’s big return to the ‘Happy Slam’ after it was thought he would have to retire following a hip surgery in 2019.

Murray won in five-set thriller Murray won in five-set thriller
Murray won in five-set thriller

Murray was knocked out in the first round by Roberto Bautista Agut and what followed was a video with tributes from fellow world-class players, including Serena Williams, showing their appreciation for what Murray had brought to the game.

Three years on, however, those tributes seemed too premature as the 2013 and 2016 Wimbledon winner has come charging back in.

What happened in his first round match?

In what looked to be an easy first set win for Murray, the Georgian big-hitting Basilashvili came back and just when it looked like Murray had it in the bag, Basilashvili showed that he was not going down without a fight.

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The first set went to the 34-year-old Scotsman 6-1 before Basilashvili fought back to steal the second 3-6.

Once again Murray returned and won the third 4-6 before submitting to the Georgian in the fourth 6-7 (5-7). However, it was Murray who ultimately came through to make it into the second round of the competition and knocked out the 21st seed as he took the fifth and final set 6-4.

What happened in the post-match interview?

After Murray’s first win back in Melbourne Park following his expected retirement in 2019 and return from injury, the former British and World Number one was met with boos during his post-match interview.

Murray was forced to interrupt his own answer as the boos overpowered the response of the Scotsman.

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When asked what he wanted to achieve this month, Murray said: “I want to keep obviously improving, I think there’s things in my game I can definitely do better.

Murray soon realised fans were ‘SUIing’ to replicate Ronaldo’s famous celebrationMurray soon realised fans were ‘SUIing’ to replicate Ronaldo’s famous celebration
Murray soon realised fans were ‘SUIing’ to replicate Ronaldo’s famous celebration

“I would love to have a deep run here if possible.”

It was at this point that the crowd booed, to which Murray replied: “painful stuff those guys.”

“I would like to have a deep run, it’s something I’ve not had in one ofthe Slams since I came back from the injury and it’s something that motivates me.

“I’ve played some of my best tennis here over the years, I feel comfortable here and I hope I can do it this tournament.”

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It could not be understood why the former World Number one was being booed on his return to Australia, but social media quickly took over to suggest that the fans were actually imitating Cristiano Ronaldo’s famous ‘SUI’ celebration.

ESPN tweeted with a quote from Murray that said “First I thought they were booing me but then I realised they were doing the same sound Ronaldo does when he scores…It was incredibly irritating!”

When is Andy Murray’s next match?

Murray will play the Japanese qualifier Taro Daniel in the second round of the Australian Open on Thursday 20 January 2022. The timings are yet to be confirmed.

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