Andy Murray’s Geneva Comeback Ends with First-Round Loss to Yannick Hanfmann

The hope for another showdown between Andy Murray (37) and Novak Djokovic (36) was dashed on Tuesday as Murray exited the Geneva Open in the first round.

As a wildcard entrant, Murray found himself trailing Yannick Hanfmann 7-5, 4-1 when a thunderstorm disrupted play at the Parc des Eaux-Vives on Monday.

Resuming on Tuesday, the German, ranked 85th in the world, swiftly secured the second set 6-2 in just over 10 minutes.

Tennis enthusiasts had eagerly anticipated a potential final clash between members of the esteemed Big Four—Djokovic, Murray, Rafael Nadal, and the now-retired Roger Federer—since the draw was announced on Friday.

Instead, Hanfmann will now square off against world number one Djokovic in the tournament’s second round on Wednesday.

Currently ranked 75th globally, Murray, aged 37 and battling with a metal hip, has hinted that his competitive tennis career may soon come to a close, mirroring Nadal’s uncertainties amid ongoing injury woes and the looming French Open.

For Murray, the Geneva match marked his first tour-level appearance since sustaining tendon damage in his left ankle during the Miami Open in March.

The Swiss clay court event, featuring 28 players, serves as a crucial warm-up ahead of the French Open, the next major tournament of the year.

Djokovic, approaching his 37th birthday, opted for a wildcard entry in Geneva to address a recent downturn in form before defending his French Open title next week.

Heading into Paris, the 24-time Grand Slam champion faces the possibility of arriving without a title in the current season for the first time since 2018, unless he clinches victory in Geneva.

The Geneva draw also includes Casper Ruud, the Norwegian world number seven, alongside other top 20 players such as Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton, and Sebastian Baez.

Murray and Djokovic last met in the 2017 Doha final, where the Serb emerged victorious.

Murray’s illustrious career includes triumphs at the US Open in 2012, Wimbledon in 2013 and 2016, and two Olympic singles gold medals in 2012 and 2016, with a total of 11 Grand Slam final appearances.