Three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray has set his racket down one last time after announcing his retirement from tennis on Tuesday.
Murray, who is the only man to have won two Olympic gold medals in tennis, made the announcement in a post on social media.
The knighted player (so yes, call him Sir Andy Murray) was denied a Wimbledon farewell in the singles earlier this month, pulling out due to surgery on a spinal cyst just a week before the tournament began.
He entered the doubles competition with his brother Jamie but lost in the first round. Murray was also set to play mixed doubles with Emma Raducanu, but a wrist problem forced her to withdraw to safeguard her singles campaign.
At 37, Murray is a legendary figure in British tennis. He ended a long wait for a British Wimbledon champion when he won the title in 2013, following an emotional final loss the previous year.
Murray’s victory was a historic moment, breaking a 77-year drought for British men at Wimbledon. He repeated his Wimbledon success in 2016, cementing his legacy as one of the sport’s greats.
His success extended beyond Wimbledon. He won his first Grand Slam at the US Open in 2012, defeating Novak Djokovic in a thrilling five-set match.
The Scot’s Olympic triumphs are also highlights of his career. At the 2012 Games in London, he defeated Roger Federer in the final, and defended his title in Rio in 2016.
That same year, he reached his highest ranking of world number one, a testament to his consistent excellence on the court.
In total, Murray has amassed a total of 46 titles throughout his career. His 11 Grand Slam final appearances are 9th joint highest for a male in the open era, and he holds similar top 10 places for semi-final and quarter-final appearances.
Murray’s achievements have earned him a place among the tennis greats, and his resilience and determination have made him a beloved figure in the sport.
Sir Andy will now be hoping to go out on a high in his fifth Olympics, where he’ll play singles and doubles (with Dan Evans) in a best-of-three-set format.
The competition starts on 27 July at Roland Garros, with Murray finding out his opponents in Thursday’s draw. He’s not among the top 16 seeds, meaning he could face a tough match against one of the favourites.
Cameron Norrie, Jack Draper, Katie Boulter, and Dan Evans are also representing Team GB in the singles. The tennis community and fans worldwide will be watching closely, eager to see how Murray’s storied career concludes.