MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The times on the clock shifted from p.m. to a.m., the day from Thursday to Friday, and
Andy Murray never wavered, never relented, no matter that he faced a two-set hole at
the Australian Open, no matter that he is 35 and possesses an artificial hip, no matter that this was the longest and latest-finishing match of his long, illustrious career.
His explanation was simple: "I have a big heart."
The three-time major champion and 26-year-old Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis stared down exhaustion and each other for 5 hours, 45 minutes of compelling theater in a second-round contest at Melbourne Park until Murray emerged with a 4-6, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (5), 6-3, 7-5 victory that ended a little after 4 a.m.
"The match was obviously very up and down. There was frustration in there. There was tension. There was excitement and all of that stuff," Murray told reporters gathered in a stadium hallway after his 11th career comeback to win after dropping two sets, the most among active players.
"I mean, look, it is obviously amazing to win the match," he continued with a chuckle, "but I also want to go to bed now. It's great. But I want to sleep."