The 2019 season will be Andy Murray’s final one on tour. In fact, the Australian Open could be his last tournament.
Unable to make a full recovery from major hip surgery, Murray announced his upcoming retirement from tennis during a Friday afternoon press conference in Melbourne.
“I spoke to my team and I told them I can’t keep doing this and that I need to have and end point, because I was just playing with no idea when the pain was going to stop,” a tearful Murray explained. “I said, look, I think I can kind of get through this until Wimbledon, that is where I would like to stop. I’m also not certain I’m able to do that.
“I can still play to a level–not a level that I’m happy playing at. But it’s not just that; the pain is too much really. It’s not something I want, I don’t want to continue playing that way. I’ve tried pretty much everything that I could to get it right and that hasn’t worked.”
After finishing 2016 at No. 1 in the world, the three-time Grand Slam champion missed an entire year from the end of Wimbledon in 2017 to the grass-court swing in 2018. He played only 12 matches last season, compiling a 7-5 record while never looking 100 percent. Murray began this 2019 campaign last week in Brisbane, where he defeated James Duckworth before falling to eventual runner-up Daniil Medvedev in the second round.
The 31-year-old Scot will face Doha winner Roberto Bautista Agut during Australian Open first-round action on Monday. With a loss, it could be Murray’s final match–even though Wimbledon is the ultimate goal.
“There’s a chance of that, for sure,” he said when asked it the Aussie Open may have to be it. “Like I said, I’m not sure I’m able to play through the pain for another four or five months. I have an option to have another operation, which is a little more severe than what I’ve had before and having my hip resurfaced, which would allow me to have a better quality of life and be out of pain. That’s something I’m seriously considering right now. Some athletes have had that and gone back to competing but there’s obviously no guarantees with that…. The reason for having an operation like that is not to return to professional sport. It’s for a better quality of life.”
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see you around, Andy
Really sad day for me…..i love Andy..and i will miss his amazing talent & figure on court terribly….
Wasn’t a big Andy Murray fan at the start of his career, but I’ve grown to really like and admire him. A great tennis player and a great guy. Big loss for tennis.
Well said, Joe. Andy’s been through so much. I feel especially bad that the commentators used to make fun of him for “grabbing at body parts” after losing a point.
‘When I win, I’m British, when I lose, I’m Scottish’.
Funny quote from Andy 🙂
If he loses in the first round at Wimbledon,he will be an Englishman(for a day)😉
Shocking news.The game(especially Wimbledon) won’t be the same
It’s sad to have to retire when you’re not ready to do so. I’m sure Andy will not be short of things to do in his retirement. I’m sure that in 70 year’s time, Britain will still be looking for a British player as good as Andy.
Hmm some Rafa fans seemed way more enthusiastic, and postitive about Novak and his return to form, and now Murray too, than they were when Rafa was going through his bad patches and injury woes, UN-BE-LIEVE-ABLE :-/
PS. And to any old TT friends – NNY, Deuce etc. – sorry for losing touch. Looks like I’m gonna have to be rooting for Rafa & Delpo now, though will still appreciate Nole & Roger:)
alex,
I want to extend my heartfelt sympathies to you and the other devoted Murray fans here. I think of Margot/Deuce and how wonderful it was to celebrate Andy’s first slam win. I am glad that Murray was able to win his precious two Wimbledon titles. I am glad that he ended the British drought for the men. He really did make his mark in the sport. I am sorry to see him forced to retire. He did get to number one in the world.
I wish only good things for him as he moves on to the next phase of his life. He has given us some special moments to remember and I will always cherish them.
Followed Muzz from the start. Couldn’t believe the rise of a British player who had every shot in the locker, was able to compete with and beat the very best without it being newsworthy, and with such a winning mentality. From that first title in San Jose, to the 5-set Wimbie thriller against Gasquet, to that round-the-net winner against Cilic in Oz, to all the big titles and achievements, thanks for the ride, Muzz. Unfortunately, I can’t quite brag against all the he’ll-never-win-a-slam naysayers of yore as, also, my prediction for 19 year-old muzz (who was to lead the H2H with Fed for the remainder of both of their best years) was that he would win between 4 and 7 slams. I console myself with the knowledge that, in any other era, it would probably actually have been 7-10. Thank you, Muzz. Try and get all the best physion you can and, who knows, you might still achieve what used to be a rarity in British tennis – Week 2 at Wimbie. But Round 1 would be just fine 😢
Alex i can only highlight NNYs post, its a very sad day for not only tennis but for the world of sport 🙁
Andy was and is an amazing player, very tough to defeat when he was in form.
His stamina was incredible might not be skillful like some players but he fights to the end.
Good luck to him, he would be missed.
Murray, like Rafa, is a tactician on court. He has amazing hands too! To me, he plays his best tennis on grass, five Queens titles, two Wimbledon and an Olympics Gold on grass, that says it all.
It’s sad that his career has to be cut short due to injury; he has an amazing career though, better than most of his peers and will always be remembered as a member of the Big Four in the golden era of tennis.
Wish him all the best, in his recovery to live a healthy normal life after tennis and in all his future endeavours.
Yes, agree.Id go as far as to say some of the best ever performances on grass .
So good to hear from you, NNY, Alison, Stanley & lucky too. No, no complaints (although just one of these 5 Oz titles would have been nice). Fabulous Muzz-in-Oz moments to remember though. For sheer entertainment, that incredible highlights-reel-in-one-game with Llodra, but absolute highlight Down Under for me has to be that round-the-net-post winner against Cilic. Ah, what Muzz would give to have a hip capable of that now! Choke. 😢 Thanks for kind words.