Andy Murray wins first ATP tournament in 31 months

Andy Murray showed his human side as he returned to official competitions and won his first ATP tournament in 31 long months. In the final of the Antwerp Open, he defeated Stan Wawrinka with a comeback victory of 6-4, 6-4, and celebrated with tears of joy.

The former world number 1, Andy Murray, conquered the Antwerp Tournament on Sunday, his first title since 2017 and subsequent hip problems that required surgery. He defeated Swiss player Stan Wawrinka in the final.

The 32-year-old Scottish player, currently ranked 243rd in the world, triumphed in a tough final with a scoreline of 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, after two hours and 27 minutes of play. This victory marked his 46th career title.

"This win means a lot to me. The past few years have been very difficult. I have had many injury problems. To come back in a final like this has been incredible," Murray said tearfully.

With this triumph, Murray will rise from being ranked 503rd in the ATP rankings in October to 127th on Monday.

On Sunday, he had to come from a set down and be 3-1 behind in the decisive third set.

Both players, who have won multiple Grand Slam tournaments, played the Antwerp final after several months of physical issues - Murray with his hip, and Wawrinka with his knee.

Ten months after the hip operation that almost forced him to retire, Murray returned to playing an ATP singles final for the first time since March 2017, when he won his last title until this Sunday, in Dubai.