Unusual Weather Patterns Cause Chaos in Andy Murray's Tennis Match on the Verge of Upset

Andy Murray has had a remarkable career, but even he seemed perplexed by what happened during his match against Yannick Hanfmann at the Geneva Open on Monday.

The umpire halted play when Murray, a three-time grand slam winner, was behind by a set and two breaks due to an approaching storm. Strong winds had already caused disruptions, with white pollen from a nearby park blowing onto the court and onto the players during the second set.

Murray lost the first set 7-5 and was frustrated by the conditions. During a break, he expressed his concerns to the umpire, Greg Allensworth, about continuing to play.

Murray, who had already served two double faults, fell behind 4-1 in the second set against Hanfmann. He told the umpire, "I know you guys don’t play but it’s good to have a little bit of a feel about what’s happening."

"It feels like we're playing in a snowstorm and you're asking us to continue."

Shortly after, the game was paused and players headed back to the locker room because the clay courts were getting covered with the approaching storm. The rain kept pouring down, leading to the suspension of all matches for the remainder of the day.

Murray will look to stage a somewhat unlikely comeback when the game resumes on Tuesday, with the winner facing Novak Djokovic in the second round.

Yannick Hanfmann had taken a commanding lead over Murray in the match.

Yannick Hanfmann had taken a commanding lead over Murray in the match.

Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty Images

Murray had only played in three matches since hurting his ankle at the Miami Open in March. During that tournament, the 37-year-old had experienced a serious injury, with a full rupture of his anterior talofibular ligament and a near full thickness rupture of his calcaneofibular ligament.

In his recent match against Hanfmann, Murray seemed to be struggling with his form. This allowed his opponent to have many chances to be the one dictating the pace of the game.

Murray had hoped to use the Geneva Open to prepare for what could be his last appearance at the French Open, but will need a miracle to progress to the next round.

Editor's P/S:

Andy Murray's match against Yannick Hanfmann at the Geneva Open was a tale of frustration and resilience. Despite winning three Grand Slams, Murray faced a unique challenge as strong winds and heavy rainfall disrupted play. Murray's concerns about the conditions were understandable, as the pollen and rain hindered his performance. His request to pause the game highlights the difficulties players face when battling against the elements.

Murray's recent return from injury has also contributed to his struggles. The 37-year-old's form was noticeably affected, allowing Hanfmann to dominate the early stages of the match. Murray's hopes of a strong performance at the French Open may be dashed if he is unable to overcome these challenges. Nonetheless, his determination to resume play despite the unfavorable conditions demonstrates his unwavering spirit and the desire to prove that he can still compete at the highest level.