The three-time grand slam champion found himself trailing by a set and two breaks when the umpire halted play due to an impending storm. High winds had already disrupted the match, with white pollen from a nearby park blowing over and showering the players during the second set.
After losing the first set 7-5, Murray expressed his frustration with the conditions, questioning umpire Greg Allensworth during a changeover about the decision to continue playing.
“I know you guys don’t play but it’s good to have a little bit of a feel about what’s happening,” Murray remarked, having served two double faults to concede a 4-1 lead in the second set. “It’s like it’s snowing out here and you still want us to keep going.”
Shortly after Murray’s complaint, the game was suspended, and players retreated to the locker room as the clay courts were covered in preparation for the impending storm. Despite the efforts, rain persisted, leading to the suspension of all play for the remainder of the day.
Murray will aim for a comeback when the match resumes on Tuesday, with the victor set to face Novak Djokovic in the second round.
This match marked only Murray’s third appearance since sustaining an ankle injury during the Miami Open in March, where the 37-year-old endured a full rupture of his anterior talofibular ligament and a near full thickness rupture of his calcaneofibular ligament. Against Hanfmann, Murray struggled to find his form, offering his opponent ample opportunities to seize control.
Hoping to utilize the Geneva Open as preparation for what could potentially be his final appearance at the French Open, Murray now faces a daunting task to progress to the next round.
