Three-time Grand Slam winner Andy Murray has been impressed by the lifetime achievements of his longtime rival Rafael Nadal.
“Winning 14 Grand Slam tournaments in the same venue is incredible,” said Murray at a press conference before his first appearance at the lawn tournament in Stuttgart, with a view to the Spaniard’s renewed French Open triumph.
“When he won his eleventh or twelfth title in Paris, I already said that I can’t imagine ever seeing it repeated,” said Murray. “There are hardly any players on the tour who have won Roland Garros 14 times will play, let alone winning it 14 times. Carlos Alcaraz is 19 and should probably win the tournament every time he plays. I just can’t see anyone doing that.”
The two-time Wimbledon winner Murray only played one clay court tournament this year and did not compete at the French Open. Instead, the 35-year-old Scot started the grass season last week and reached the semi-finals at the Challenger in Surbiton, England.
In Stuttgart, Murray meets Christopher O’Connell (Australia) in round one on Tuesday.