UK tennis legend Andy Murray, 37, announced his official retirement from the game on Thursday night after his defeat in the Paris Olympics doubles quarterfinals to the American duo of Fritz and Paul.
He had previously stated on his social media accounts that he would retire after the Paris Olympics. However, it never occurred that he would lose his final game and retire without another Olympic gold in a tournament that has held immense significance for him throughout the years.
Murray and his partner Dan Evans lost 6-2, 6-4 against Tommy Paul and Taylor Fritz of the United States at Court Suzanne Lenglen, marking an end to his career.
Murray wrote, “Never even liked tennis anyway” on X, a few hours after he had left.
Murray was proud to end his career on his own terms despite the loss, considering the uncertainty he had been facing recently because of injuries.
“I’m proud of my career, my achievements, and what I put into the sport. Obviously, it was emotional because it’s the last time I will play a competitive match. But I am genuinely happy just now. I’m happy with how it finished.” Murray said
“I’m glad I got to go out here at the Olympics and finish on my terms because at times in the last few years that wasn’t a certainty.” He added
Murray had won three Grand Slam titles. Just a few weeks after losing to Federer in the Wimbledon final on the same Centre Court, he defeated the Swiss player to win gold at the 2012 Olympics on an emotional day at the All England Club.
When he won in 2013, he notably put an end to Britain’s 77-year men’s champion drought at Wimbledon by defeating Djokovic in the final championship match.
He won the second title in 2016 after breaking his duck in the 2012 US Open, marking three career major totals. He defeated Juan Martin del Potro in a match that lasted 4 hours and 2 minutes by 7-5, 4-6, 6-2, 7-5, becoming the first player in history to win the prize back to back and to win two Olympic singles gold.
In addition, Murray led Great Britain to its first Davis Cup victory in 79 years in 2015.
In total, he has won 46 titles and taken home prize money totalling around $65 million.
Article by Lena Ndolo
