For years, Andy Murray had been the fourth man in a dominant era, consistently reaching Grand Slam semi-finals and finals, but always falling short against the likes of Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic. The question wasn’t if he was good enough, but if he could win one. That question was emphatically answered on September 10, 2012, at the US Open, where Murray finally claimed “The First Slam” in a five-set thriller against Novak Djokovic.
This final was a rematch of the recent Olympic bronze medal match, where Murray had defeated Djokovic. However, a Grand Slam final presents a different kind of pressure. The conditions were brutal, with swirling winds adding an extra layer of difficulty to an already high-stakes match.
Murray started strong, taking the first two sets in tight fashion, including a grueling 24-minute tie-break in the first set. He was two sets to love up, a position of control, but against a player like Djokovic, it’s never over until it’s over. And indeed, Djokovic, the defending champion, mounted a fierce comeback, winning the next two sets comfortably and leveling the match at two sets all. The momentum had clearly shifted, and the ghosts of Murray’s past Grand Slam final defeats loomed large.
But this time, something was different. Inspired by his recent Olympic gold and the guidance of coach Ivan Lendl, Murray dug deeper than ever before. He broke early in the fifth set, then battled through an exhausting final set filled with long rallies and incredible athleticism from both players. After nearly five hours on court, at 4 hours and 54 minutes, Murray finally clinched the championship, 7-6, 7-5, 2-6, 3-6, 6-2.
The image of Murray burying his face in his towel, overcome with emotion, became iconic. It was a “gritty triumph,” a hard-fought battle that not only secured his long-awaited first Grand Slam but also signaled a significant shift in the landscape of men’s tennis, proving that Andy Murray truly belonged among the elite.
