Tennis world comes out in support of injured superstar Andy Murray

He’s a three time Grand Slam champion and one of the hardest workers on the tour. But that’s not why his rivals love him. As time winds down on Andy Murray’s career, some of the biggest names in the game have paid tribute to the superstar.

Sam Stosur has set aside preparations for her 17th Australian Open tilt to pay tribute to fellow grand slam winner Andy Murray.

Stosur, the 2011 US Open champion, hailed Murray as one of the most powerful supporters of women’s rights after the Scot outlined retirement plans.

“It will be really sad to see him go,” Stosur said ahead of her first-round clash with Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska on Tuesday.

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“He’s been a fantastic player, champion.

“I mean, he’s been a massive advocate for women’s tennis and women’s sport in general.

“I know in the locker-room whenever we hear him kinda stick up for us and say stuff we’re like ‘Yeah, go Andy.’

“He’s gonna be missed for sure.

“So let’s hope he does get to Wimbledon, at least, and do that.

“He’s a great guy, so it will be sad to see him go.”

Andy Murray will retire from tennis after Wimbledon. Picture: AAP Images

Stosur, 34, returns to Melbourne Park in search of a career-best showing at the Open, having reached the fourth round in 2006 and ’10.

The Queenslander is keen to snap a depressing run of three consecutive first-round exits at the Open.

If she handles the explosive and erratic grand slam debutant Yastremska, Stosur would probably face Spanish 23rd seed Carla Suarez Navarro.

Success there could catapult the Gold Coaster into a rematch of the 2011 US Open final with Serena Williams.

Stosur was one of a host of past and present players to show their support for Murray.

The love for Murray even extends to Hollywood.

Originally published as Tennis world comes out in support of injured superstar Andy Murray