Murray ‘back in good books’ over ‘stolen’ wedding ringon October 7, 2021 at 11:12 pm
Andy Murray says he is “back in the good books” after his “stolen” tennis shoes and wedding ring were found in Indian Wells.
The British three-time Grand Slam champion had left his shoes with his wedding ring attached under the car his team are using in California in order to dry out after practice.
After discovering they were missing the next day, Murray put out an appeal for their return on Instagram, saying he was “in the bad books at home”.
But Murray didn’t stay there too long, posting another video later on Thursday to celebrate being reunited with his missing items – even if the trainers were no fresher.
“Huge thanks for all the messages and to everyone for sharing the story,” said the 34-year-old.
“I had to make a few calls and chat to the security at the hotel but would you believe it?
“They still absolutely stink but the shoes are back, the wedding ring is back and I’m back in the good books – let’s go!”
Murray, who is preparing to play at Indian Wells for the first time since 2017, earlier admitted the fact that he ties his wedding ring to his laces while training and playing had completely slipped his mind as he went to buy replacement shoes.
“My physio said to me ‘where’s your wedding ring?’ I was like ‘oh no’,” he said.
‘I don’t feel bad about accepting wildcards’
Meanwhile, Murray says he does not feel bad about accepting wildcards as he returns to Indian Wells for the first time since he was world number one.
He will headline Friday’s night session in the Californian desert alongside new US Open champion Emma Raducanu.
Murray will play Adrian Mannarino of France.
“I’m grateful that they have given me the opportunity to play here,” he said.
“But do I feel bad about it? No, I don’t feel bad about it.”
He is currently outside the world top 100 and has therefore frequently needed wildcards to access tournaments this season.
“I’d rather get in by right, obviously,” Murray added.
“But then I could also argue that the three years I was out injured, I would have rightfully been entered in all of these tournaments.
“I think after what I have gone through the last three or four years, and what I had achieved in the game beforehand, I don’t feel like I need to justify the reasons for why I should get wildcards.”
Murray, who is yet to beat a top-20 player this season, has lost recently to Stefanos Tsitsipas, Casper Ruud and Wimbledon semi-finalist Hubert Hurkacz.
“I have also had a number of opportunities in those matches and not quite taken them,” said Murray, whose fitness has improved markedly since Wimbledon.
“They are going to snuff out some opportunities that you create, but also there’s been some stuff in those matches that I certainly feel I could have done better.
“I really don’t feel like I’ve been outclassed, or that I have had no chances against them, so there are some positives to take from those losses.”