Andy Murray announced on Tuesday that he will retire after the Paris Olympics, marking the end of an era in tennis’s golden age.
The 37-year-old, a two-time Olympic champion, plans to compete in both the singles and doubles events 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.”
In recent years, Murray has been plagued by injuries, dropping to 121st in the world rankings. Since 2019, he has played with a metal hip and earlier this year, he suffered an ankle injury and underwent surgery to remove a spinal cyst, which prevented him from competing in singles at Wimbledon. Instead, he played doubles with his brother Jamie, but they were eliminated in the first round. Following the match, tournament organisers arranged an emotional tribute for him.
“It’s hard because I would love to keep playing but I can’t,” Murray admitted 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 men’s champion at Wimbledon in 2013, defeating his long-time rival Novak Djokovic in the final. He won a second Wimbledon title in 2016, adding to his career total of three major titles, which includes his first Grand Slam victory at the 2012 US Open.
He claimed Olympic gold in 2012 at the All England Club, defeating Roger Federer, just weeks after losing the Wimbledon final to the Swiss star on the same court. Four years later, Murray became the first player to win two Olympic singles golds by defeating Juan Martin del Potro. In 2015, he also led Great Britain to a Davis Cup victory, the country’s first in 79 years.
Murray has won 46 titles and earned approximately $65 million in prize money throughout his career.
Dave Haggerty, President of the International Tennis Federation, praised Murray for embodying the values of tennis and promoting equality, saying he “lived and breathed the values of tennis throughout his long career.”
Scotland’s first Minister, John Swinney called Murray “our greatest-ever sportsman,” expressing gratitude for his inspiring career.
“Heartfelt thanks to @andy_murray for an outstanding and inspiring career which has made a profound impact on so many,” Swinney posted on X.
Murray’s mother, Judy Murray, also acknowledged his upcoming retirement, noting, “5th Olympics. Final tournament,” followed by an explosion symbol.
Murray’s success came during an era dominated by Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Rafael Nadal. The trio, often referred to as the ‘Big Three,’ have won a combined 66 Grand Slam titles.
However, time is catching up with these icons. Federer, who retired in 2022, won 20 majors. Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam winner, is 38 and has played only six tournaments this year due to injuries. Djokovic, 37, holds 24 majors but has recently been dethroned as Australian Open and French Open champion.
Young talents like Jannik Sinner, who won the Australian Open and took Djokovic’s world number-one ranking, and Carlos Alcaraz, who defended his Wimbledon title and won the French Open, are now leading the charge. If Djokovic does not retain his US Open title in September, it will be the first time since 2002 that none of the ‘Big Three’ have won a Grand Slam in a year.
The tennis competition at the Paris Olympics will begin at Roland Garros on July 27 and conclude on August 4.
