'Andy Murray annoyed me with his attitude - he ruined my tennis career'
Former tennis world No. 6 Gilles Simon openly blamed Andy Murray for ruining his professional career. In a candid interview last year, the retired French player spoke about long-time rival Murray, whose illustrious career ended after the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Simon and Murray rose through the ranks together, both debuting at Grand Slam tournaments in 2005. But although they started on similar paths, Murray soon pulled ahead, securing major championships and earning recognition as one of tennis' elite.
"Andy is the guy who ruined my career the most," Simon told L'Equipe in 2024. "He became the player I wanted to beat the most. I studied him a lot in the field. Because he bothered me too much, in terms of his game but also in his attitude."
Simon, who never advanced past a Grand Slam quarter-final, regarded Murray as one of the sport's most naturally gifted athletes - someone who simultaneously inspired and frustrated him. "We annoyed each other," Simon said. "We played matches where we ended up telling each other about our lives!"
Simon often found himself on the losing end of their encounters, with Murray dominating their rivalry with a 16-3 record. Their first face-off was at the 2007 Italian Open, a match Simon managed to win. But Murray went on to claim the following 12 matchups, intensifying Simon's desire to finally overcome the Scottish star.
With time, though, Simon began to view Murray's relentless drive with more appreciation than resentment. "He was ready to die on the court," said Simon, now 40. "He is an ultra-competitor, perhaps even more than [Roger] Federer, [Rafael] Nadal and [Novak] Djokovic. He was ready to do anything to win, whatever the way, good or bad."
"Playing better than him didn't guarantee victory. He could quickly adapt his game to counter you. I always say you had to beat him three times.
"He always found a solution," Simon went on. "He was constantly looking for one and often ended up finding one. Whatever his choice, he always had a full awareness of what he was doing. As he is intelligent, every time it fell right.
"Andy is much more gifted than we think. One of the most gifted we've ever seen. As he was above all a solid player, who ran everywhere and made no mistakes."
Though their rivalry was clearly tilted in Murray's favour, Simon savoured a final, hard-earned triumph at the 2022 Paris Masters - emerging victorious in a gruelling three-set battle, one of the last professional showdowns for both players.
Simon carved out a respectable career, amassing 14 ATP singles trophies. Yet it was Murray's trio of Slam wins - and his unforgettable duels with the likes of Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer - that cemented his place among the sport's legends.
Following four painful defeats in major finals, Murray finally clinched his first Slam at the 2012 US Open. The next year, he ended a 77-year British drought at Wimbledon, becoming the first male champion there since Fred Perry in 1936. He repeated the feat in 2016.
Eventually, recurring injuries took their toll, limiting Murray's later years on tour. Still, the 38-year-old's status as one of the sport's most revered players remains beyond doubt.
In retrospect, Simon's battles with Murray were marked not just by rivalry but by mutual respect. Murray drove him to elevate his game - even if he seldom came out on top. For Simon, Murray wasn't merely an opponent - he was the benchmark of greatness.
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