Thomas Muster; dead man walking – Tennis Special
During our childhood, we have certainly heard stories of bravery and sportsmanship. Players like those who died playing or stories where a whole team died in plane crashes. However, it is hard to believe that there are some sportsmen who play, for the love of the game, to an imaginative extent. Tennis has surely been a true breeder of super sportsmen but there are still some extra-ordinary personnel playing just to feel the same way they used to at their age of domination.
Born on 2nd October 1967 in Leibnitz, Austria, Thomas Muster, notoriously known as “the King of clay” back in the 90’s, is a 43-year-old tennis conjuror and also a former world No.1 who ruled the hearts of millions in his time of stardom. Starting at a young age of 16, Muster had an early stand in the spotlight winning several junior titles and soon turned pro in 1984.
Entering the ATP ranking at world No.744, in 1984, the Austrian went in to the top like a rocket. His first podium pictures were taken when he won his first tour title at Hilversum in Netherlands in 1986.
The Austrian has his dreams pulled away for a moment in 1989 when he was struck by a drunk driver, severing ligaments in his left knee. The accident forced him to default his final run against the world No.1 Ivan Lendl.
Practicing his game on a specially designed wheel chair, the Austrian returned with a bang six months later. Muster made a startling comeback in 1990, winning 3 titles on clay and one on hard court. Winning 2 titles in 1991, three in 1992 and all on clay courts, muster also reached 9 tournament finals in 1993, winning 7 out of them.
In 1995, the clay expert made history winning his second Italian Open and finally his first and only Grand Slam, the French Open. The major wins in 1995 and defending 6 titles later in 1996, the Austrian finally held the top spot, the World No.1, in February 1996, retaining it for that year.
“You just have to listen to him out there,” Sampras told The New York Times in 1996. “He sounds like a bulldog who’s chewing on your leg and will not stop chewing, no matter what.”
Muster’s run to the top has been a struggle of pain and perfection. Reining the top ranking at the age of 29 showed a display of hard work and dedication and explained the meaning to never let go.
After retiring from professional tennis in 2000, muster returned after almost 11 years seemingly hoping to write a similar success story. Although history reminds us not to undermine the potential of the former clay king, however,
“We both know he’s slightly nuts,” said Mats Wilander, the Swedish former champion, 46.
The fact of the matter is that even if he wins a challenger or a tour, it wouldn’t be written on his gravestone that after 44 tour titles, he won a challenger. Muster has been into drinking and smoking for a long time. And to leave everything at the age of 43 and coming back into professional tennis concerns more to his health and less to his winning probability.
Muster told the Austrian newspaper “Many people will say, ‘What does the old fool want?’ Others will hopefully respect my achievements. I am fighting like I did during the best of times, and will give everything for the fans in Vienna.”
Once above 198 pounds at the age of 22, muster now stands at 43-years-old and is just 167 pounds with the same height. His will to regain or even enter a prominent ranking seems like a dream. However, it will surely be historic if the former world No.1 melts down the controversies of his return and hold up a shining silver trophy as a slap to those who find him an “old fool”.
Disclaimer: The ideas expressed in the article are the writer’s own personal views and have nothing to do with bettor.com’s editorial policy.
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