Andy Murray rolled back the years with a 4-6 6-3 6-4 over Matteo Berrettini to reach the second round of the Miami Open, but left some fans baffled by his actions during the match. The Brit was spotted appearing to fake laughter as he faced his Italian opponent, before setting up a last 64 tie with Tomas Martin Etcheverry.
Murray, who is aiming for his third Miami Open title after wins in 2009 and 2012, proceeded to write “life in the old dog yet!” on the camera after defeating Berrettini in a dramatic encounter.
At the start of the eighth game, Berrettini was preparing to serve when he wobbled and came close to collapsing on the court. His blood pressure was checked by doctors, before returning to action as Murray picked up just his fourth win in 2024.
Laura Robson pulled Murray up on his unusual laughing antics after the match and quizzed the 36-year-old over his intentions. Some had thought that he was attempting to put his opponent off, but Murray insisted that it was a response to some complaints from the media in Miami.
“You were saying I need to be happier on the court in the interview beforehand,” Murray explained. “So if I’m laughing that’s not okay, if I’m shouting that’s not okay, if I’m flat like I was in Australia that’s not okay.
“So it’s very hard for me to get the balance right. I’m very different on the tennis court, I’m not a robot, I’m a bit odd, bit strange but I play better when I’m like that.”
Having come through a tricky first-round tie, Murray was pleased with his performance despite his opponent visibly struggling with the conditions in Miami. “I think in terms of the way that I played the important moments in that match, I did a good job,” Murray added.
“I was down 0-40 in the end, I think it was (a) 3-2 game and I also created quite a lot of chances to go up a break, hadn’t got it. Stayed tough there and played some good points and moved well and I think dictated a lot of the match which isn’t easy against him.”
Murray will next face Etcheverry, who caused the Brit an early Australian Open exit in the first round earlier this year.
His celebrations were reserved as he respected Berrettini’s health concerns. The Miami Open is known for its humidity and Arthur Cazaux had already collapsed to the ground mid-match against Harold Mayot earlier in the competition.
But for Murray, on-court laughter was the perfect response to his critics and the three-time Major winner hopes to continue chuckling all the way to the title in Miami.
