Andy Murray stated that he wants to go back to the Australian Open, despite losing to Taro Daniel in the second round.
The World No. 120, aged 34, lost in straight sets. This was the first Grand Slam loss for the Scotsman to someone not ranked among the Top 100.
Murray lost 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 to his determined opponent.
Andy Murray was knocked out by Taro Daniel, a Japanese qualifier at the Australian Open.
When asked if he planned to return to the Australian Open in the future, Murray responded: ‘I mean, yeah. However, I won’t do it if I repeat the same thing tonight this season.
“This is an important year for me, and I’m determined to excel in big events. In that regard, tonight’s performance is unacceptable.
“Making the second round of slams isn’t something that I find very motivating. That is not what I’d like to do. This will depend on my year’s results and how well I do at the major events.
Hopes were high for Murray to have a strong run in Melbourne after he battled to a hard-fought five-set win over Nikoloz Basilashvili in round one, three years after it appeared his career had ended on the same court.
Murray lost against someone other than the 100 top Grand Slam players for the first time.
Murray could not beat his opponent in this first set. Daniel, however, quickly won another break.
In the second match of the set, four break points were lost. Murray won only two out of 11, and Daniel again provided the key answers in crucial moments.
Murray finally moved ahead in the third game, but Daniel quickly regained control and took the lead at 5-4.
Murray stated that he only plans to play at the Australian Open again if Murray does well.
Daniel won the match point, and was warned that he had slammed his racket in angrily onto the court.
Murray stated that he was “really, really disappointed”. I am very frustrated. It was a difficult loss.
He said, “I feel alright. It was pretty easy to pull up. [after the Basilashvili match]That was why I felt happy. It was just too much.
Murray said that he will be returning home in the near future to spend some time with his family before returning to Dubai and Doha.