Andy Murray announced on Tuesday that he will retire following the Paris Olympics, bringing an end to another chapter in tennis’ golden age.
The 37-year-old, a two-time Olympic winner, intends to compete in both singles and doubles at his fifth Games.
“Arrived in Paris for my last-ever tennis tournament @Olympics,” the three-time Grand Slam champion and former world number one posted on social media.
“Competing for Great Britain has been by far the most memorable weeks of my career and I’m extremely proud to get to do it one final time.”
Murray has been ravaged by injuries in recent years, slumping to 121st in the world.
The Scot has played with a metal hip since 2019 and suffered ankle damage earlier this year before undergoing surgery to remove a spinal cyst, which ruled him out of singles at Wimbledon.
Instead, he played doubles with brother Jamie and was defeated in the first round before an emotional tribute arranged by tournament chiefs.
“It’s hard because I would love to keep playing but I can’t,” admitted Murray at the All England Club.
“Physically it is too tough now, all of the injuries, they have added up and they haven’t been insignificant.”
Murray famously ended Britain’s 77-year wait for a male Wimbledon winner in 2013, defeating lifelong rival Novak Djokovic in the final.
He won a second major victory in 2016, bringing his career total to three after breaking his duck at the 2012 US Open.
Murray won gold at the 2012 Olympics on an emotional day at the All England Club, defeating Roger Federer just weeks after losing the Wimbledon final to the Swiss on Centre Court.
Four years later, he defeated Juan Martin del Potro, becoming the first male or female to win two Olympic singles gold medals.
Murray also led Britain to its first Davis Cup triumph in 79 years, in 2015.
‘Big Three’
He has won 46 titles in all and banked around $65 million in prize money.
International Tennis Federation president Dave Haggerty said Murray had “lived and breathed the values of tennis throughout his long career, championing equality and helping to send the message that our sport is for everyone”.
Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney hailed Murray as “our greatest-ever sportsman”.
“Heartfelt thanks to @andy_murray for an outstanding and inspiring career which has made a profound impact on so many,” he posted on X.
Murray’s mother, Judy, commented in a post on X: “5th Olympics. Final tournament,” followed by a symbol representing an explosion.
The British talent had success during an era dominated by Federer, Djokovic, and Rafael Nadal.
The so-called ‘Big Three’ have won 66 Grand Slam titles between them, but the sport’s idols are ageing.
Federer won twenty championships before retiring in 2022.
Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam winner, is 38 years old and has played only six tournaments this year due to injury.
Djokovic, 37, who has 24 major titles, has been dethroned as Australian Open and Roland Garros champion in 2024.
Jannik Sinner, a 22-year-old Italian, succeeded him as champion in Melbourne and took his world number one ranking.
Carlos Alcaraz, 21, won the French Open and successfully defended his Wimbledon championship, knocking Djokovic out in a one-sided final earlier this month.
If Djokovic loses his US Open crown in September, it will be the first time since 2002 that at least one of the three greats fails to win a Grand Slam.
The tennis tournament in Paris began on July 27 at Roland Garros and concludes on August 4.