Andy Murray still remembers his Dubai win over Roger Federer as he noted that 2009 was the year when he “played really well” in the United Arab Emirates. Murray, who is now 35 years old, defeated Federer 6-7 6-2 6-2 in the 2009 Dubai semifinal.
After beating Federer, Murray also beat former world No 1 Andy Roddick 6-4 6-2 in the Dubai final. “I remember winning against Federer here one year. I played a really good match against him. And also I played a really good final one year against Roddick, as well.
That might have been the same year where I played Federer, I think in the semis and Roddick in the final. I played really well that year,” Murray said, as quoted on Sportskeeda.
Murray: Last year in Dubai was tough
In 2017, Murray made the Dubai final before losing to Novak Djokovic.
Last year, Murray returned to Dubai for the first time since 2017. Murray beat Taro Daniel in his Dubai opener last year, before Roberto Bautista Agut demolished him 6-0 6-1. Now, Murray reveals last year around this time was one of his lowest points on the court.
“I remember very clearly the match I played last year here against Bautista Agut. That was one of the lowest points of my career. I was really struggling. I had some physical issues, but my game was also really not good.
Yeah, I had very little confidence and belief in myself at that moment, so I remember that match, too,” Murray revealed. Meanwhile, Murray won a thriller in his Dubai opener. On Monday, Murray saved three match points to beat Lorenzo Sonego in the Dubai first round 4-6 6-1 7-6 (4).
At the start of this season, Murray has already had a couple of hard-fought wins. For Murray, it is a good sign as he is dreaming of making at least one more major run before he retires.
