London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Wednesday, Mar 18, 2026

'Painful stuff!' - Andy Murray responds to booing fans after emotional win

'Painful stuff!' - Andy Murray responds to booing fans after emotional win

Andy Murray hit back at a small number of Australian Open tennis fans who appeared to boo him after his first-round win.

The Scot came through a gruelling five-set match to beat No.23 Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-1, 3-6, 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 6-4.

Murray’s first win at the tournament, three years on from announcing his plans to retire amid a debilitating hip injury, saw the 34-year-old struggle to hold back his emotions as he lapped up the applause from the crowd during jubilant scenes at the end of the match.

However, during his post-match interview a very small number of individuals could be heard boing the Scot for an unbeknown reason.

Interrupting his own answer to a question on his hopes for the tournament, Murray said: ‘Painful stuff those guys’ in response to the boos.

Asked what he wants to achieve this month he said: ‘I want to keep obviously improving, I think there’s things in my game I can definitely do better.

Andy Murray was pushed all the way by Nikoloz Basilashvili


‘I would love to have a deep run here if possible, * crowd boos* painful stuff those guys.

‘I would like to have a deep run, it’s something I’ve not had in one of the Slams since I came back from the injury and it’s something that motivates me.

‘I’ve played some of my best tennis here over the years, I feel comfortable here and I hope I can do it this tournament.’

Commentators picked up on the boos and also could not understand why some fans had opted to jeer the former British No.1, while some fans took to social media to suggest they were actually shouting ‘SIUU’ at random – the phrase associated with Cristiano Ronaldo’s iconic celebration.

Murray did leave the court to a standing ovation though and will now play Japanese qualifier Taro Daniel in the next round.

The Scot will be hoping his legs recover from the ‘brutal’ fifth setter before his next match on Thursday.

‘It’s amazing. Been a tough three or four years. Put in a lot of work to get back here,’ Murray added.

‘I’ve played on this court many times and always had fantastic support. This is where I thought I had potentially played my last match three years ago. Couldn’t ask for any more.

‘It was a brutal match in Sydney [against Basilashvili]. I had to do a lot of running, a lot of defending but a little confidence from the win.’

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
GB News Faces Regulatory Complaints Over On-Air Remarks on ‘Genocide’ Claims
UK Signals Expanded Support for Gulf Allies as Iranian Attacks Intensify Regional Threats
UK VAT Decision Opens Path for Potential Refunds to U.S. Biopharma Firms
UK and Canada Advance ‘Middle Power’ Strategy to Shape Global Influence Beyond Superpowers
Google Explores AI Opt-Out Features in Search to Address UK Regulatory Concerns
Google Explores AI Opt-Out Features in Search to Address UK Regulatory Concerns
UK Fuel Prices Poised to Surge as Global Tensions Drive Oil Market Volatility
UK Fuel Prices Poised to Surge as Global Tensions Drive Oil Market Volatility
UK Holds Back on Hormuz Escort Mission While Continuing Talks with Allies
TrumpRx Pricing Platform Faces Scrutiny as Some Medicines Remain Costlier Than in the UK
UK, Netherlands and Finland Explore Joint Defence Investment Bank to Boost Military Capability
Deadly Meningitis Outbreak in Kent Raises Alarm as Cases Surge and Emergency Response Expands
UK Security Adviser Viewed US-Iran Nuclear Deal as Within Reach Before Sudden Escalation
UK Prime Minister Urges Continued Focus on Ukraine Amid Escalating Iran Conflict
UK Introduces New Safeguards to Shield Lenders from Bank Run Risks
UK Promotional Products Market Surpasses £1.3 Billion as Demand Strengthens in 2025
Reeves Pushes for Deeper UK-EU Economic Ties to Revive Growth
UK Security Adviser Saw No Imminent Iranian Nuclear Threat Days Before War Erupted
France Signals Warm Welcome for UK Return to EU Single Market Amid Renewed Cooperation Talks
UK Defence Official Criticises Boeing Over Delays to E-7 Wedgetail Programme
UK Urged to Secure Quantum Talent as Minister Warns Against Repeating AI Setbacks
UK Mayors Set to Gain New Spending Powers Under Reeves’ Fiscal Devolution Plan
Western Allies Urge Restraint as Israel Weighs Expanded Ground Operation in Lebanon
Trump Warns NATO Faces ‘Very Bad’ Future Without Stronger Allied Support in Iran Conflict
UK Minister Says Britain Not Bound to Support Every Demand From U.S. President
Starmer Tells Trump Britain Will Not Be Drawn Into Wider Iran War
Starmer Tells Trump Britain Will Not Be Drawn Into Wider Iran War
UK Set to Introduce Steel Tariffs of Up to 50 Percent in New Industrial Strategy
European Governments Decline Trump’s Call to Send Warships to Reopen Strait of Hormuz
Fears Over Iran Conflict Weigh on UK Consumer Confidence
Starmer Says UK Working With Allies on Hormuz Shipping Plan After Trump Raises Pressure
Iran War and Energy Shock Shake Britain’s Economy and Political Debate
Deadly Meningitis Outbreak at UK University Leaves Two Dead and Several Seriously Ill
Deadly Meningitis Outbreak at UK University Leaves Two Dead and Several Seriously Ill
King Charles and Queen Camilla Share Personal Tributes to Their Mothers on UK Mother’s Day
Prince William Honors Princess Diana with Mother’s Day Tribute
UK Economy Stalls in January as Households Cut Back on Eating Out
AI-Generated Singer Becomes Viral Voice for Iranians With New Anthem
London Private Club Founder Plans Exclusive Palm Beach Venue Near Trump’s Mar-a-Lago
Ed Davey Urges Britain to Build Fully Independent Nuclear Missile Capability
What the UK Covid Inquiry Is and How It Investigates Britain’s Pandemic Response
What the UK Covid Inquiry Is and How It Investigates Britain’s Pandemic Response
US Treasury Links British Polo Patrons to Alleged Venezuelan Oil Proceeds Laundering Scheme
Hundreds Gather in London Despite Ban on Annual Pro-Palestinian March
Two Dead and Multiple Students Seriously Ill After Invasive Meningitis Outbreak at UK University
UK Considers Deploying Ships and Mine-Hunting Drones to Reopen Strait of Hormuz
Starmer and Trump Discuss Urgent Need to Reopen Strait of Hormuz Amid Escalating Iran Conflict
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Planned Australia Visit Draws Mixed Reaction From Local Communities
Trump Calls on France and UK to Help Safeguard Strait of Hormuz Shipping Route
Boris Johnson Labels Bitcoin a ‘Ponzi Scheme’, Sparking Debate in Crypto World
×