Andy Murray discusses one of the "lowest points" of his career and "winning against Federer" as he aims to recreate past success at Qatar Open 2023

Andy Murray, twice a champion at the Qatar Open, is back to recreate his past success and give it his best shot at the ATP 250 tournament in 2023. After enthralling tennis fans with his run at the 2023 Australian Open, the British tennis player has yet again delivered a blockbuster match with a stunning comeback victory in Doha.

Andy Murray locked horns with Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego in the opening round of the tournament. The wild card entrant gave his fans a scare as he faced three match points in the deciding set but in true Murray fashion, the former World No. 1 bounced back to snatch the win 4-6, 6-1, 7-6(4) and progress to the Round of 16.

In his post-match press conference, the 35-year-old was asked about his sweetest victories thus far at the Qatar Open. Andy Murray, who has won the tournament twice in 2008 and 2009 as well as been the runner-up in 2007 and 2017, revisited his 2009 semifinal win over Roger Federer and final win over Andy Roddick.

“I remember winning against Federer here one year. I played a really good match against him,” he said, “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,” he reiterated.

The Brit, however, also clearly remembered his previous year’s loss to eventual champion Roberto Bautista Agut, and called it “one of the lowest points of my career.” Andy Murray won just one game throughout the match during his loss to the Spaniard 6-0, 6-1, in the second round of the 2022 Qatar Open.

“I remember very clearly the match I played last year here against Bautista Agut. That was one of the lowest points of my career,” Murray recalled, “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.”

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Andy Murray sets up a clash against Alexander Zverev at the Qatar Open

Andy Murray won the title in Doha in 2008 and 2009

Andy Murray has registered three wins and two losses thus far in 2023. With his latest victory in the first round of the Qatar Open, the former World No. 1 is now set to collide with former World No. 2 Alexander Zverev, who will be playing his first match at the event, having received a bye in the opening round.

The duo have clashed on tour thrice before, with Murray winning two matches and Zverev winning the latest at 2021 Indian Wells. The match in Doha is expected to be a marathon with no clear favorites as Zverev battles to stage a comeback after an ankle injury.