By Tony Fairbairn
- Andy Murray’s 20 year career is over after he and Dan Evans lost in the quarter-finals of the men’s doubles in Paris.
- The Centre Court at Queen’s Club will now be renamed as the ‘Andy Murray Arena’ after Murray’s illustrious career.
PARIS, FRANCE – Andy Murray has admitted that he is ‘lucky’ to end his career on his own terms after his quarter-final exit in doubles at the Olympics signalled the end of an era in British tennis.
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Andy Murray’s illustrious 20 year career is over after he and Dan Evans went out in the quarter-finals of the men’s doubles at the Olympics to Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul.
The British duo missed out on a medal match after a comprehensive 6-2 6-4 defeat to the Americans.
However getting to that stage was a big feat for Murray and Evans as if there was a tournament that encapsulated Murray’s career then this was it.
In the first round they saved five match points, coming back from 9-4 down against Taro Daniel and Kei Nishikori on an electric Suzanne Lenglen.
On the same court the Brits saved two more match points to defeat Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen but eventually ran out of energy in the quarter-finals.
An emotional evening for Murray as he has now played his last tennis match and after the match Murray admitted he is lucky to finish on his own terms.
“It felt good. I knew that moment was coming for the last few months. If it didn’t happen today, that was going to be in a couple of days’ time and I was ready for it,” Murray explained to The Guardian after the match.
“Obviously I 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’s finished.
“I’m glad that 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. And even a few months ago, I was told when I first went to have my scan of my back and the issue that I had with it, I was told that I wouldn’t be playing at the Olympics and I wouldn’t be playing at Wimbledon.
“So I feel also lucky that I got that opportunity to play here and have some great matches, create amazing memories and, yeah, I feel good.”
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Murray certain of retirement decision after detailing physical pain
This season has been a tough year for Murray dealing with a couple of big injuries which has ultimately led to him retiring from tennis this year.
There was the ankle injury in Miami which was followed by his spinal injury at Queen’s Club which has seen Murray pull the curtain on his illustrious career.
Reflecting on his turbulent season, Murray is certain that now is the right time to leave the sport.
“It’s been really hard. Physically, pain wise, I feel bad,” Murray explained to The Guardian.
“Physically, I can obviously can go on the court and perform at a level that’s competitive. We’re close to getting in the medal rounds here, that’s okay. But the pain and discomfort in my body is not good.
“That’s also why I’m happy to be finishing. Because if I kept going and kept trying, eventually you end up having an injury potentially ending your career. So, I know that now is the right time.
“When I wasn’t able to walk properly and my leg wasn’t functioning properly, I was told if this continues to grow and puts more pressure on the nerves, it turns into like an emergency situation where you can’t control your bladder and you’ll lose control of the other leg. That’s kind of when I knew it was time.
“Thankfully the surgeon did a brilliant job and obviously the rehab process got fast-tracked to try and play at Wimbledon and here but when that happened, I was like ‘whoa’. I was just looking forward to the end after that.”
Murray has inspired a generation with his incredible fighting spirit and his winning mentality which has seen him win three Grand Slams, two Olympic gold medals as well as becoming world number one.
Certainly the best British tennis player of all time and is in the conversation for being the best British athlete of all-time.
Now an end of an era is complete and Murray can now reflect on his incredible career as he begins a new chapter in his life.
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