By Adrianna Outlaw
Andy Murray is pumped for his US Open return, but admits a major miss: fans.
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The former world No. 1, who will face Yoshihito Nishioka in his US Open opener and first Flushing Meadows match since 2018, calls the Open atmosphere "weird" and "a little bit sad" without festive fans.
"There's also been times like after one of my practices last week where I finished practice, I was walking back to the locker room, I was walking through the grounds," Murray told the media. "I was like, Wow, this is pretty sad because usually this place is just filled with energy and atmosphere like before the tournament starts.
"Now it's tennis players and their teams walking around with masks on. It's just all very different. It's all very different and a little bit sad."
The 2012 US Open champion, who calls Arthur Ashe Stadium "some of the best atmospheres that I've ever played in tennis," says US Open fans fuel players with energy.
"[The fans] give life to the tournaments and everything," Murray said. "They give life to your matches and your practices. Yeah, sometimes it can be a bit hectic, as well.
"On the whole, I'd way rather this place was filled with people that are excited to come and watch tennis. Yeah, I miss that."
Photo credit: @CincyTennis Western & Southern Open