Murray leaving tennis on his own terms

Andy Murray closed out his career with an Olympic doubles defeat as the Scot fulfilled his decision to hang up his racquet after exiting in Paris.

The three-time Grand Slam winner whose last half decade on court has been a constant injury struggle, took a 6-2, 6-4 quarter-final loss alongside Dan Evans, with the British pair losing to Americans Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul.

Murray knew the end was nearing and took the final chapter with good grace and some amount of relief. He had made the decision to hang up his racquet earlier this season, deciding that the Games was the proper moment to call time.

“A few months ago I was not looking forward to it.,” the 37-year-old told Eurosport.

“Like in most jobs when people retire generally it’s more of a celebration because they’re looking forward to it.”

Sir Andy Murray tribute as he brings to an end his 19 year professional career © ATPTour.com

The former No. 1 added: “I’ve obviously loved playing tennis so I wasn’t necessarily really looking forward to that moment. 

Andy Murray at the Unisphere Flushing Meadows after winning the 2004 Boys Singles trophy – by Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd

“But after I had the operation on my back at Queen’s (June), I was struggling to walk. It was kind of an emergency operation that I had to have.

“I’ve been looking forward to the end [since then] because physically it’s been tough and I’m not able to move around the court and do the things I want to do physically.

Therefore I can’t compete to the level that I want to. So yeah I’m happy to be finishing now. I was worried about it in the last year or 18 months, what I’d do with myself, but I’m looking forward to the end.

Main photo:- An emotional Andy Murray ends his career at the Paris 2024 Olympics – by ATPTour.com