It is all over for Andy Murray: Tennis legend’s singles career is finished
Andy Murray’s illustrious men’s singles tennis career is over, the Scotsman has revealed, and he now has his eyes set on a different sport.
Andy Murray will never play another tennis singles match ever again – but has vowed to become a golfer.
The Scotsman, 37, is pulling out of the singles competition at the Paris Olympics due to an ongoing back problem.
The former world No1 will focus instead on winning a medal in men’s doubles with Team GB partner Dan Evans at Roland Garros.
Yet once his playing career is over – the Olympics represent his final-ever event – he will swap tennis racquets for golf clubs.
The Scotsman – a two-time Wimbledon champion – said: “Initially, I want to be at home next with my family.
“I want to spend a lot of time with my four kids and wife. I won’t be on the road much, I know that.
“I’ll play a lot of golf. I’ll try to become a scratch golfer.
“That’s something I’ll definitely try to do. I’ve always loved playing golf but because of the issues with my back, I haven’t played for five or six years.
“I’ve hardly played since I was 18 or 19. So that’s something I really want to do initially.”
His last singles match – the 1,001st at ATP Tour level – came on June 19 when he quit after five games of the Queen’s second round with Australian Jordan Thompson due to injury.
Murray, who had a cyst removed from his back last month, is set to pull out of the 64-man singles competition – though governing body, the ITF, were caught unaware by his comments on Wednesday afternoon.
The draw for the five events will be made tomorrow from 10am and the Brits could end up facing the Spanish Dream Team of Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal.
Explaining his decision to focus on doubles, Murray said: “Me and Dan have made the commitment to each other that that was what we were going to prioritise.
“I think Dan is still going to play singles. Last week he did a lot of doubles practice.
“That’s what I have been predominantly practising and training while on holiday in Greece.
“That gives the team and us the best opportunity to get a medal. That’s realistic.
“My back is still not perfect. The potential of playing two matches in a day is maybe not the best.”
This story was published by The Sun and reproduced with permission