After winning 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4, Murray explained in his post-match press conference that the decision to use the uncommon shot, often used by his friend and tennis star Nick Kyrgios, was tactical. One.
It’s funny that Murray’s serve wasn’t particularly specific, with his shot too high and too long, but he won the point regardless.
“he is [Duckworth] “He changed his comeback position and that’s why I did that. He was about to come back. He was struggling a bit on the first serve return, so he probably fell two metres. As soon as I saw him pull back, I threw the armpit serve,” Murray told reporters.
“Personally, I have no problem with players using it. I had no problem. Certainly, more and more players are starting to come back from farther, behind the baseline now to give themselves an advantage to come back.
“The underarm transmission is a way of saying, ‘If you’re going back there, I’d probably put that inside.'”
There seems to be an unusual notion among a small minority of tennis fans that armpit serve somehow disrespects an opponent.
Murray does not agree.
“I don’t know why people found it so disrespectful at all,” he said. “I’ve never really understood it. It’s a legitimate way to serve. I would never use armpit sending if someone was standing on the baseline because I think it’s a stupid idea because they’re going to track it and it’s easy to get.”
“If they’re four or five meters behind the baseline, why not do it to try and push them forward if they don’t feel comfortable going back there? Six meters, whatever it is, five meters behind the baseline to try and gain an advantage.
“So I used to not be disrespectful to him but to say, ‘If you’re going back to resend to give yourself more time, I’m going to take advantage of that.'”
“Prone to fits of apathy. Introvert. Award-winning internet evangelist. Extreme beer expert.”