NO TEARS FOR FEARS

Three years on from Oz "farewell ' Andy now has...

- NEIL McLEMAN

THREE years ago, it was Andy Murray dominating a dramatic build-up to the Australian Open.

He broke down in tears and left the room in his pretournament press conference and returned to announce he feared his career was over.

Tournament organisers even played a farewell montage of tributes from fellow superstars Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal and Serena Williams after he lost a typical five-set epic with Roberto Bautista Agut. Now, after missing the last two Australian Opens because of a pelvic injury and Covid, he is back at Melbourne Park with his new metal hip and the old glint in his eye.

The Scot reached the final of the Sydney Tennis Classic on Saturday and is playing his most consistent tennis for years.

He said: “It's nice not waking up every morning and just constantly being in pain.