Andy Murray takes his frustrations out on his racket at the Paris Masters in October 2023. Photograph: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images
Alize Lim, a tennis presenter, disclosed that a distraught Andy Murray vented his frustration by smashing his rackets in the parking area after his gut-wrenching defeat to Alex De Minaur at the Paris Masters.
Lim, a former world No 135, revealed seeing Murray’s disappointment “chilled” her and “pierced” her heart and feels the Brit’s fury “showed his motivation and how important it is to him.”
World No 12 De Minaur edged Murray 7-6(5), 4-6, 7-5 in a three-hour battle in the opening round of the Paris Masters last week, after the Bit had a 5-2, double break lead in the final set.
The three-time Major champion looked to be on his way to a big win, but he failed to serve out the match twice and saw a match point slip away as he lost five straight games.
The world No 42 has now lost all six of his encounters against the 24-year-old Aussie, who has become a nightmare opponent after beating him four times in 2023.
Murray destroyed his racket on court following the defeat, and explained to reporters afterwards that “the last five, six months haven’t been that enjoyable.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8KCTOrEExQ
Speaking in her role as a presenter for Eurosport at the Paris Masters, Lim shared a sad anecdote from the aftermath of Murray’s loss and suggested it reminded her of moments during her own career.
“There is an image that struck me a little and chilled me – it was Andy Murray who broke his racket after the match point against Alex De Minaur, and I was in the mixed zone, ready to do the interview of the winner at that moment, and I saw him pass and there, truly, his disappointment pierced my heart,” said the Frenchwoman.
“I heard him break his rackets, behind, in the parking lot. And it really showed his motivation and how important it is to him. It also brought back some very bad memories for me too.”
Lim, 33, has won three titles at ITF level and appeared four times in the main draw of the French Open. She played her only match since 2020 at an ITF event in France in April 2022.
Former world No 1 Murray has lost five of his last six matches in a disappointing end to a season that has been frustrating after a positive start.
Murray has been named in Leon Smith’s Great Britain squad for the Davis Cup Finals knockout stage later this month, but revealed after his Paris exit he is yet to make a final decision on whether he will participate.
