When Andy Murray strolls onto a tennis court, you expect supreme focus, chalk-line precision and a game plan executed flawlessly. What you don’t expect? Chaos. But that’s exactly what Murray admitted happened back in 2015 at the BNP Paribas Masters in Paris when it came to his doubles entry: “absolute mayhem.”
Picture this: the final Masters tournament of the season, indoor hard court, the pressure’s sky-high, ranking points buzzing in the air. The singles draw is stacked, the expectation heavy. Murray has been making a dent that year — big wins, momentum building. Yet, when it came time to throw his name in the doubles bracket? That’s when the train jumped the track.
Why “absolute mayhem”? Because doubling up wasn’t meant to be part of his elegant narrative that week. The blur of scheduling, logistics, partner arrangements and the “just in case” entries turned into a scramble. It was almost a pivot away from his singles mission — but still part of the show. During a season where he pushed for the top and haunted the elite, the doubles call-up feels like the funhouse mirror of his serious campaign.
Murray, by his own admission, found the process messy. The planning for doubles can often be casual — a late invitation, a friendly partner, a bit of fun. But at the Paris Masters, fun didn’t feel fun: it felt frantic. With his mind likely still buzzing about his singles ambitions (he did reach the final that week). The result? A commitment to something slightly off-script.
And let’s not forget: the Paris Masters is not your run-of-the-mill event. It’s the last big dance before the year closes out, played in the flamboyant setting of Paris-Bercy. Every step has an energy, a hum of urgency. So slotting in a doubles match, amidst that, amplified the chaos. It’s like trying to rehearse a dramatic solo in a theater while a circus is setting up behind you.
Murray’s “absolute mayhem” comment gives us a rare peek behind the glitter of pro tennis — the bits that don’t make the highlight reel. The late-night partner chats, the wildcard entries, the doubting: did we sign up? The checking of boxes. For a guy whose career has run parallel to precision and professionalism, this admission is oddly refreshing.
In hindsight, it adds colour to his 2015 season: the push for excellence, the juggle of commitments, the willingness to dive into the mess if it keeps you moving. That week in Paris: singles glory nearly within reach, and doubles entry thrown into the mix. The “mayhem” wasn’t just odd, it was indicative of being at the sharp end of elite sport — where even signing up becomes an event.
So next time Murray steps on court and seems laser-focused, remember: beneath the calm exterior once stood a moment of pure, unfiltered chaos. And that little phrase — “absolute mayhem” — tells us just how real the backstage of top-tier tennis can get.
