Andy Murray says he feels ‘good’ about his decision to retire from tennis after pondering his future for months.
Earlier this week, the three-time Grand Slam champion confirmed that he will ply his final tournament at the Olympic Games in Paris. It had been expected that the 37-year-old will be ending his career in 2024 after almost 20 years of playing on the ATP Tour. He has won 46 titles and is the only man to have won back-to-back singles gold medals at the Olympics. This year is his fifth appearance at the Games.
“I feel good,” The Independent quoted Murray as saying. “I wasn’t sure that’s how I would feel. A few months ago I was unsure about it. I had a lot of conversations with my family, with my wife.
“I’m happy about it now. I didn’t feel that way a few months ago when I thought this was when I was going to stop, Ididn’t really want to, whereas now I want to and I know it’s the right time for me.”
The former world No.1 is expected to make some last-minute changes to his Olympic schedule by switching his focus solely to playing in the doubles with Dan Evans. Murray has been troubled by a back issue in recent weeks, which also forced him out of the singles event at Wimbledon. He is still on the comeback from that injury and is wary about playing too many matches over a short period.
“Obviously me and Dan have made the commitment to each other that (doubles) was what we were going to prioritize.” He said.
“ I think Dan is still going to play singles but last week he did a lot of doubles practice, that’s what I was predominantly practising in training when I was in Greece and since we’ve been here, we’ve been practising and playing doubles sets together.
“That gives the team and us the best opportunity to get a medal, realistically. My back is still not perfect and the potential of playing two matches in a day is maybe not the best.”
Nevertheless, Murray is relishing the opportunity of playing in the Olympics one more time as he eyes his fourth medal. He won gold medals in 2012 (beating Roger Federer) and in 2016 (beating Juan Martin del Potro), as well as a silver medal in the mixed doubles with Laura Robson in 2012.
“I just know that every time I’ve come to the Olympics it feels totally different and I personally love it.” He said.
“It’s been an amazing experience, I love being around all of the other athletes, I love being part of a team, I love representing my country.
“When you’re staying in the village and you’re around all the other athletes, it just feels like you’re part of something bigger than just yourself or your own sport.”
Murray’s love for the Olympics is something he hopes to continue with the Brit expressing his hope to be part of Team GB in the future as a non-athlete. He also intends to stay involved with tennis and has a separate goal of improving his skills on the golf course.
The Olympic tennis tournament will start on Saturday.
