Andy Murray underarm serve web ST

Andy Murray Picture Credit: Twitter

Two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray marked an outstanding comeback during a first-round match against James Duckworth on Center Court, in the ongoing Wimbledon 2022. After losing the first set, Andy Murray used his rich experience to make a comeback to finally seal a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 win against the Australian tennis player. The 35-year-old, who recently recovered from abdominal muscle sustained two weeks ago, showcased patience of the highest degree in a marathon match.

While Andy Murray displayed great skills during the match to stun his Australian counterpart, he also surprised everyone with a controversial underarm serve in the fourth game of the third set. Although the underarm serve is legal, the tennis community has always been skeptical of it and questions have been raised over its use. However, the former Wimbledon champion backed his decision to serve underarm by stating it was a smart play.

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While speaking to reporters after his match with James Duckworth, Andy Murray informed that he decided to serve underarm after he saw his opponent changing his position. "He was struggling a little bit on the first-serve return, so he stepped probably two metres further back. As soon as I saw him step further back, I threw them underarm serve in," he said. Murray further admitted that he has no issues with players using it against him.

"Personally, I have no issues with players using it. I never have. Certainly, more and more players have started returning from further, further behind the baseline now to give themselves the advantage to return. The underarm serve is a way of saying: 'If you're going to step back there, then I'm going to possibly throw that in," he said. Even commentators of the match were taken aback after witnessing Andy Murray's underarm serve, as one of them claimed that he 'did not expect that.'

The Scot further claimed that he did not consider his shot of selection as 'disrespectful' by stating that 'its a legitimate way of serving.' "I would never use an underarm serve if someone was standing on the baseline because I think it's a stupid idea because they are eventually going to track it down and it's easy to get," Andy Murray concluded.