'Such class': Andy Murray's touching gesture for struggling rival
Andy Murray has won his first clay court match in five years after defeating Dominic Thiem at the Madrid Open and the Scot showed his class to his opponent following the match.
Murray returned to the Madrid Open with doubts having skipped his least favourite surface, clay, for a number of years as he returns from a number of injuries.
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The Scot was initially going to skip the clay court season again, however after his challenger events were cancelled, Murray surprised fans with an appearance in Madrid.
Former US Open winner Thiem is in a similar predicament having returned to the ATP Tour four weeks ago after suffering a chronic wrist injury that has sidelined him for 11 months.
However, it was Murray who was able to defeat Thiem 6-3, 6-4 at the Madrid Open in a battle of two grand slam winners.
The three-time grand slam winner was helped as Thiem hit 33 unforced errors
Murray was clearly delighted with his first win on clay in five years, but in a classy act the Scot immediately greeted Thiem at the net and offered him some encouraging words as the Austrian seeks his first win back on tour.
"I hope you feel better soon," Murray said to Thiem.
"I’m glad to see you back, keep going, it takes a lot of time but you’ll be fine."
Fans react to Andy Murray's classy gesture
The tennis world was quick to praise Murray's gesture towards Thiem, having watched one of the generations greatest players struggle with a horrible hip injury for the latter part of his career.
There goes that Murray again showing a bit o' that Class.
— Steveroonie (@NothingbutEarth) May 2, 2022
A lovely celebration from @andy_murray & some encouraging words for @domithiem too. I ❤ this man! @MutuaMadridOpen pic.twitter.com/CaGRGeqtK3
— Heather Penny 💙🇪🇺 (@reelofthe51st) May 2, 2022
All respect between these two warriors🤝 @andy_murray | @domithiem | @MutuaMadridOpen | #MMOPEN pic.twitter.com/VNX6ebwqFk
— ATP Tour (@atptour) May 2, 2022
@andy_murray is such a class act!! https://t.co/xjRd7uY1iC
— Sam Adams- The REAL LIFE Coach (@ThisIsSamAdams) May 2, 2022
"I've put in lots and lots of work this last little period," Murray said after the match.
"I wanted to go on and put a good performance... I've had some doubts about my own game... and I do feel like that I've started to play some better tennis."
"After such a long time having not played on clay, I didn't know if I was capable of playing at that level on this surface and that's why I was happy."
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