Andy Murray exits on day one of the Australian Open tennis
Murray was beaten in straight sets in Melbourne
Last updated 15th Jan 2024
Andy Murray's out of the Australian Open on day one of the tournament in Melbourne.
He was beaten in straight sets by Argentinian 30th seed Tomas Martin Etcheverry.
In a match lasting 2 hours and 23 minutes Murray was broken in every set and lost 6-4 6-2 6-2.
His only other defeat in the first round here since 2008 came five years ago in an emotional five-setter against Roberto Bautista Agut after Murray had revealed the extent of his hip problems.
This was his fourth defeat in a row dating back to October, while he has now lost seven of his last eight matches, the worst run of his career.
One way traffic
Murray hung his head as he trudged disconsolately back to his chair after a final forehand sailed into the net and he looked emotional while waving to all sides of the arena.
The Scot and 24-year-old Etcheverry had met twice last year in two close contests that ended with one victory apiece.
From the start the match was dominated by long baseline rallies. Murray dropped serve in the opening game but broke back immediately and had one chance to move 4-2 ahead only for a lob to fall short.
It proved a costly error as, with Murray trying to extract life from the old balls on serve in the next game, Etcheverry broke again before clinching a 61-minute first set.
Murray's serve was proving his main Achilles heel, with his first delivery unreliable and the second offering Etcheverry the chance to take control of the rallies.
The Argentinian, a quarter-finalist at the French Open last year, was also making fewer mistakes from the baseline and Murray's resistance was broken again early in the second set.
Fans had queued around the block to try to get into Kia Arena but the atmosphere was muted as Murray stepped out for the third set, faced with trying to mount another epic comeback.
He did not get as down on himself as he has in recent matches and probed for a way into the contest but it was Etcheverry who broke serve again to lead 3-2, and the end swiftly followed.
Andy's last Australian open?
A downcast Murray admitted in his press conference that he may well not be back at Melbourne Park.
"It's a definite possibility that will be the last time I play here," he said. "I think probably because of how the match went and everything.
"While you're playing the match, you're obviously trying to control your emotions, focus on the points and everything. When you're one point away from the end, you're like, 'I can't believe this is over so quickly, and like this'.
"In comparison to the matches that I played here last year, it's the complete opposite feeling walking off the court. I wish I involved the crowd more. Just disappointed with the way I played and all of that stuff. (It's a) tough, tough way to finish."