“I’ve been criticised a lot for it over the years but that’s who I am”: Murray wears his heart on his sleeve in Kokkinakis epic.

There aren't many explanations for what happened in Andy Murray's match against Thanasi Kokkinakis. The former world No. 1 produces an epic comeback from two set down, to clinch victory in almost 6 hours. After the match, Murray was consulted about his impressions:

“I’ve always loved competing. I’ve always worn my heat on my sleeve and shown my emotions when I play. I’ve been criticised a lot for it over the years for it but that’s who I am.”

Murray explained how difficult it was to keep in the match: “Unbelievable that I managed to turn that around. Thanasi was playing… serving unbelievable, hitting his forehand huge. And I don’t know how I managed to get through it”.

“I just rely on that experience, that drive and that fight for the game, competing, my respect for this event and the competition - that’s why I kept going.

This is the second 5-set match in a row that the British has faced, after the first round winning against Matteo Berretini, where he even had to save a match point. Murray admitted that at the beginning of the match, he wasn’t at his best level.

“I did start playing better as the match went on. I have a big heart.”

Murray was notoriously upset because of the decision to allow the match keep playing until so late into the night. Actually, he called a “farce”:

"I don't know who it's beneficial for. We come here after the match and that's what the discussion is, rather than it being like, 'epic Murray-Kokkinakis match'. It ends in a bit of a farce.”

Finally, the 5-time Australian Open finalist thanked the crowd: "Amazingly people stayed until the end, and I really appreciate people doing that and creating an atmosphere for us. Some people obviously need to work the following day and everything.”