Fan Gives Andy Murray Mysterious Gift In Beijing

Former World No. 1 Andy Murray won consecutive matches for the first time in more than 12 months on Wednesday. Off the court, he also experienced a first this week at the China Open in Beijing.

Murray was gifted a “fish fossil”, at least that’s what he thinks it was.

“I got given the other day like a fish fossil. That’s what it was, wasn’t it? It was really, really old. I don’t know how old. I got given that,” Murray said when asked if he’d been given any gifts by fans. “It was just pretty thoughtful. I’ve never been given that before, anything like that.”

Players leave the ATP Tour’s Asian Swing with some cultural experiences, a few wins and losses and usually, as Murray noted, unusual gifts.

“It’s not the case at any of the other tournaments we play at, when we play in Europe and stuff, the fans don’t tend to give gifts. Here, most years you get given a few things to take home,” Murray said.

Last week in Zhuhai, champion Alex de Minaur received a rabbit that he could wear on his head, and did in a video he shared on social media.

Alex de Minaur celebrating his win today with a special gift from a fan in China ?￰ﾟﾐﾬ

(?: @alexdeminaur on Instagram) pic.twitter.com/p0VBgGC14V

— ATP Tour (@atptour) September 24, 2019

“I actually really like playing here. I think the fans here in China are like nowhere else. They’re really loud. I don’t think anywhere else I get given gifts by the fans,” De Minaur said. “So I really enjoy playing here and it’s always a special feeling once you come out here and you’re able to perform and play at a good level and get the win in front of these fans.”

Murray, who last won back-to-back matches in September 2018 in Shenzhen, will try to follow De Minaur’s lead and make his fans happy by winning the China Open title. The Scot faces top seed and World No. 5 Dominic Thiem on Friday for a place in the ATP 500 semi-finals.