Andy Murray retired from tennis at the Paris Olympics. The former world number 1 only played doubles in the French capital, partnering with Dan Evans. The Scottish champion would have liked to play the singles, but his body does not allow him to make certain efforts and it was better not to risk after the recent back operation.
The three-time Grand Slam champion had made the same choice at the Wimbledon Championships, giving up the singles and playing doubles with his brother Jamie. Injuries have plagued Andy in the last years of his career, but the Scotsman never gave up and had a lot of fun in his ‘second career’ (although he did not achieve much success).
Murray has said goodbye to professional tennis with no regrets, being aware that he has given all of himself and even more. The British champion has put his body to the test in recent years and many thought that his career was over by 2019. During the Australian Open that year, Andy announced that his hip pain was too strong and that he would stop if he didn’t find a solution. Murray underwent a delicate hip operation and started a kind of ‘second career’, in which he played some great matches without finding the continuity of the past.
Aliassime pays tribute to Murray
Especially in recent years, Andy Murray has become a great example for all athletes. His resilience has also excited other players, who have dedicated wonderful messages to him in recent days. In a recent post on X, Canadian ace Felix Auger-Aliassime paid tribute to the former World No.1: ”I can’t forget to take a moment for one of my favorite players on and off the pitch that has just closed the chapter in one of the best stories our sport has ever known. I have always been very inspired by your resilience, determination and winning drive throughout your career. Thank you for setting a good example for our generation and the ones to come. And thank you for being yourself because you are one of the only Andy. We will miss you.”
Can’t forget to take a moment for one of my favorite players on and off the court for closing the chapter to one of the best stories our sport has seen. I always drew a lot of inspiration seeing your resilience, determination and will to win throughout your career. Thank you for… pic.twitter.com/kF8EBTNk2U
— Félix AugerAliassime (@felixtennis) August 5, 2024
Despite playing in the same era as the Big 3, Andy Murray managed to win many important titles and become number 1 in the world in 2016. 20-time Grand Slam champion and former World No.1 Roger Federer paid tribute to Andy on ATP social media channels: “So, Sir Andy Murray, incredible effort on the most wonderful of careers, (being a) great human being and doing it all with a massive family at the end – and a hip, and a body, that clearly wasn’t giving you what you wanted anymore at the end.
But you’ve been a true inspiration to me and many of the players out there, and I’m so happy you could do it as long as you did. Just from my side Andy, I have so much respect. I loved playing against you, even though I lost so many times against you – and it was brutal. Congrats on everything you have achieved, and everything that’s to come. Only all the best, and I’m sure we’ll see each other down the road.”
Andy gave his best
Spanish legend and 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafa Nadal also praised Murray: “Andy Murray (has) had an amazing career. I think in some ways, I mean, I don’t like to say he deserve more or less because at the end, if I say I deserve more if I don’t have injuries, no? No, I don’t, because I had the injuries, no? But he had a lot of finals. He was an amazing player that probably played in a difficult moment of the history of tennis because he share the tour at the prime time of Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and myself. He was, in my feeling, the one that was at the same level than us, in general terms. In terms of victories, it’s true that he achieved less. In terms of level of tennis, in terms of hold mentally the winning spirit week after week, he was the only one that was very close to be at the same level than us.”
The three-time Grand Slam champion is ready to start a new life, where he can spend more time with his family and fully devote himself to all passions. The former world number 1 has confessed that he will stay in touch with tennis, perhaps helping some young people of his country on their path to growth and collaborating with the British federation. Andy has left a very important legacy and has always been available for young talents.