Andy Murray has very likely played his last singles match. Speaking ahead of the tennis draw in Paris tomorrow, he said he's almost certain to pull out of singles, with doubles alongside Dan Evans the priority.
Andy Murray unlikely to play singles at Olympic Games, at peace with retirement as Dan Evans doubles swansong awaits
ATPWednesday, 24 July 2024 at 18:09
Andy Murray has admitted that he is at peace with retirement as he heads towards his final tournament in the form of the Olympic Games.
Never one for flashy shows and one to let his tennis do the talking, it was perhaps fitting that he announced on social media that his career would end in Paris. He explained his decision and why in his mind, he is ready for the next chapter.
"Physically my body is ready to stop," said Murray to Sky Sports. "Mentally I'm ready to finish playing. The Olympics is also an event that is really special to me. I've loved being a part of this team over the last four or five Olympic Games. I'm happy that I get to finish playing here."
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"I'd had this conversation about when I was going to finish with my family and with my team. Spoke to them about it last year and earlier this year and I was still unsure about it. I thought I was going to finish this Summer whether that be after Wimbledon or after the Olympics. It just felt like it was the right time. I got the injury to my ankle in March and obviously got the back injury at Queens and had to have the operation. Although like I said I was unsure a few months ago about whether I wanted to stop, I knew after I had to have the surgery on my back that it was the right time."
"My body's been through a lot. A lot of injuries and surgeries. My body, my mind is ready and I'm happy about it. I don't feel like it's difficult. A few months ago, I did. I was worried about it, I was unsure about it. But I'm ready. I'm looking forward to what comes next. I'm looking forward to being at home with my children and my family. Physically I can't prepare and compete like I used to. Therefore it's time for me to finish."
But it is a sense of pride for Murray as his career ends and also he won't be seeking new opportunities too quickly either with the enjoyment of retirement first on his list.
"I'm really proud of the career that I've had. I've had amazing support throughout my career. A few wobbly moments but for the most part it's been brilliant. Getting to compete on the men's side with the three best players of all time and being a part of that has been brilliant. Competing with them has been unbelievably special. I've been fortunate to have the career I've had.
Andy Murray left proud of his career with no regrets as swansong awaits.
"I'll still have some involvement in tennis at some stage but for the next few months, I just want to relax and take a bit of time to think about what it is I want to do next. I just want to be at home with my kids and not having too many commitments."
Rooming with Cameron Norrie on the social media viral cardboard beds, Murray is a fan of being penned in with his fellow Brits saying that it is what makes it special.
"We spend most of our careers in hotel rooms on our own. Being part of a huge team like this and being around the British guys, we're living in a five bedroom apartment for a week is brilliant. I love it. The Olympics is amazing. You see some incredible physical performances, unbelievably inspiring stories. It is so different to what tennis is a fairly global sport but the Olympics feels very different to the usual tennis event we play."
Aiming for a fourth Olympic medal, Murray is also unlikely to play singles. He said he is likely to withdraw to focus on doubles with Dan Evans.
“I need to make that decision this evening but I don’t think so. Obviously me and Dan have made the commitment to each other that (doubles) was what we were going to prioritise.
“I think Dan is still going to play singles but last week he did a lot of doubles practice, that’s what I was predominantly practising in training when I was in Greece and since we’ve been here, we’ve been practising and playing doubles sets together.
“That gives the team and us the best opportunity to get a medal, realistically. My back is still not perfect and the potential of playing two matches in a day is maybe not the best.”
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