Andy Murray has announced his impending retirement from professional tennis, set to occur after his participation in the Paris Olympic Games. Early on Tuesday, Murray took to social media platform X to declare his departure post his final tennis tournament in Paris. Representing Great Britain, he cited, has been the highlight of his career and something he takes great pride in as he prepares to do it one last time.
Murray’s track record with the Olympics is impressive, having claimed two straight singles gold medals in London 2012 and Rio 2016, as well as a mixed doubles silver medal in 2012 with Laura Robson. Paris will signify his fifth Olympic participation, having begun his Olympic journey in Beijing in 2008.
Murray, at the age of 37, is slated to enter the Olympic singles and doubles event, paired with Dan Evans. The games will be played on the clay courts of Roland Garros. However, it remains ambiguous whether Murray, who underwent back surgery a month ago, will participate in the singles event.
In spite of rumours about his retirement in 2019, Murray has successfully maintained his presence in top-level tennis. He underwent a hip-resurfacing surgery in the same year, but managed to reach No. 36 in the ATP rankings last summer – his highest since the surgery and playing with a metal hip.
The latter half of the previous year, however, saw a decline in Murray’s form and physical condition. In a third-round match at the Miami Open in March, he suffered an ankle ligament injury resulting in a seven-week absence from the game. Post his first ATP match win post-injury, he had to withdraw from his second match at Queen’s owing to severe back pain. This led to a surgery for spinal cyst removal.
Remarkably, in just 12 days post-surgery, Murray was back in the Wimbledon competition for the last time, paired with his brother Jamie in the men’s doubles. They suffered a defeat in their first-round match against the Australian pair Rinky Hijikata and John Peers. An emotional ceremony in Murray’s honour followed the match. Additionally, he was supposed to compete with Emma Raducanu in mixed doubles, but she pulled out before the first round to cautiously prepare for her last-16 singles match.
Murray had indicated this summer that his retirement was on the cards after the Olympics, though he was keen on participating in the doubles competition, considering it gives him a better shot at advancing. He was, however, uncertain, following a back surgery, about whether he would be fit enough in time for Wimbledon or the Olympics.
Murray clarified he did not plan on taking part in the US Open and has a family vacation slated post the Olympics. “Assuming I’m fit to compete at Wimbledon and the Olympics, that would likely be the end,” he mentioned on the cusp of Wimbledon.
On Monday, Murray arrived in Paris, accompanied by the Great Britain’s Olympic tennis team from London via the Eurostar. He warmed up on Court Philippe-Chatrier with Evans prior to a vigorous doubles training on an external court, facing Britain’s top-ranked doubles pair, Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski.
As a result of an extra two-week period of rehabilitation and recovery, Murray’s on-court mobility and comfort have significantly improved since Wimbledon. He’ll discover who he’s up against in his ultimate tournament subsequent to the tennis draw ceremony set for Thursday morning. – Guardian