French Open 2024 results: Andy Murray loses to Stan Wawrinka after Jack Draper exit

When Murray performed Wawrinka in 2017, the pair had been working within the peaks of their careers.

However the bodily exertions of the match – and that match – exacerbated a hip damage which derailed Murray’s profession and later wanted surgical procedure to extend it.

With the ability to return to taking part in with a steel cap in his hip joint was one thing no different singles participant had ever achieved – however the obstacles have continued to look in his manner.

The actual fact he has even been capable of return to Roland Garros once more this 12 months is exceptional.

When Murray ruptured ankle ligaments in a Miami Open match on 24 March, the three-time Grand Slam champion feared he wouldn’t be capable of say farewell to the place the place he got here runner-up to Novak Djokovic in 2016.

Murray did return however arrived with little expectation. Wawrinka had not gained back-to-back matches since final 12 months’s US Open, however he was a lot sharper than Murray and medical when his probabilities arrived.

The tone for Murray’s night was set when he misplaced serve within the first recreation of the night-session match. The Scot was unable to take two break factors at 2-1 and got here underneath extra stress himself at 0-40 4-2 earlier than Wawrinka served out the opening set.

Murray misplaced serve once more early within the second and probabilities to interrupt again had been uncommon till Wawrinka fought again from 0-30 5-4 to increase his benefit.

The third set was much more one-sided, sealed with one other trademark backhand winner down the road from 2015 champion Wawrinka.

The pair shared a heat and lengthy embrace on the internet, the place Wawrinka mentioned he instructed Murray he was a “nice champion”.

A poignant second which demonstrated their mutual respect was adopted by a standing ovation for Murray, who waved farewell on what may very well be his remaining look on Chatrier.

“It was a terrific match to play, to be on centre courtroom, and play towards Stan, who I’ve had nice battles with, and a terrific crowd,” Murray mentioned.

“However sitting right here I might have put in a greater efficiency, or had a more in-depth match, or bought by means of than to lose within the first spherical.”