Andy Murray’s former rival, Ernests Gulbis, called out the “disrespect” he felt during his career when being compared to Murray, expressing that he “hated” the constant comparisons to the Scottish tennis star. Gulbis, a talented player from Latvia who had moments of brilliance but never reached the same heights as Murray, revealed in a candid interview how frustrating it was to be continuously compared to a player of Murray’s stature.
Gulbis and Murray were often mentioned together early in their careers as both were considered part of a promising generation of tennis players. However, Murray went on to win multiple Grand Slam titles and become world number one, while Gulbis struggled with consistency and never reached the same level of success. The Latvian said he found it difficult to be compared to Murray, particularly as their careers diverged in such contrasting ways.
Gulbis also expressed his dissatisfaction with how he was treated in the tennis world, feeling that he was not given the respect he deserved as a player. He noted that being constantly compared to Murray, who achieved far more in the sport, added to his frustration. Though Gulbis was a highly skilled player, his career was marked by underachievement compared to the expectations set for him early on.
This candid admission highlights the challenges players face when they are constantly compared to others, particularly those who achieve more success. While Murray went on to become a tennis legend, Gulbis’ career serves as a reminder of the pressures and expectations that can weigh heavily on players who do not meet the same level of success.
