03 September,2016 11:50 AM IST | | Agencies
Andy complains that noisy conditions under closed Arthur Ashe Stadium is big distraction for players following his 6-4, 6-1, 6-4 win over Granollers
Andy Murray of Great Britain during his third round match against Marcel Granollers of Spain in the US Open at New York on Thursday. pic/AFP
New York: Andy Murray claimed it was so hard to hear during his US Open victory over Marcel Granollers that it felt like he was wearing headphones.
Murray eased past Granollers 6-4, 6-1, 6-4 at Flushing Meadows to keep his bid for a fourth grand slam title on track but the win was not without complications.
The match was played under Arthur Ashe Stadium's new US dollars 150 million roof, which amplified an already noisy New York crowd and for a while caused a clattering din as torrential rain poured down on top.
Umpire Mariana Alves had already requested spectators to be quieter and when the downpour arrived, both players stopped, unsure what was causing the sound. "It's more difficult because we use our ears when we play," Murray said.
"It's not just the eyes. It helps us pick up the speed of the ball, the spin that's on the ball, how hard someone's hitting it. If we played with our ears covered or with headphones on, it would be a big advantage if your opponent wasn't wearing them. It's tricky. You can still do it but it's harder, for sure."
Informal atmosphere
Spectators at Flushing Meadows are louder than at the other grand slams, with fans typically eating, drinking and talking during points. The atmosphere is more informal but the addition of the roof, and then the rain, made conditions uncomfortable for the players. "It was so annoying," Granollers said. "It was difficult to play because when you hit the ball normally you feel it as you hit it. With the rain I didn't feel anything so it was difficult to concentrate.
"I have never experienced anything like that before, with these conditions. It was tough to play in the rain. It is better with the roof because today we played. But I think when people are talking we feel like it is a lot of noise. It is a lot and more with the roof. It is a little bit too much."
