Andy Murray confirmed on Tuesday that he will retire after the Paris Olympics, closing another chapter in tennis’s golden age. The 37-year-old, a two-time Olympic champion, is planning to play in the singles and doubles at his fifth Games. “Arrived in Paris for my last-ever tennis tournament @Olympics,” the three-time Grand Slam champion and former world number one posted on social media. “Competing for Great Britain has been by far the most memorable weeks of my career and I’m extremely proud to get to do it one final time.”

Murray has been ravaged by injuries in recent years, slumping to 121st in the world.

The Scot has played with a metal hip since 2019 and suffered ankle damage earlier this year before undergoing surgery to remove a spinal cyst, which ruled him out of singles at Wimbledon.

Instead, he played doubles with brother Jamie and was defeated in the first round before an emotional tribute arranged by tournament chiefs.

“It’s hard because I would love to keep playing but I can’t,” admitted Murray at the All England Club. 

“Physically it is too tough now, all of the injuries, they have added up and they haven’t been insignificant.”

Murray famously ended Britain’s 77-year wait for a men’s champion at Wimbledon when he triumphed in 2013, defeating career-long rival Novak Djokovic in the final.

He added a second title in 2016, taking his career majors total to three after breaking his duck at the 2012 US Open.

Murray won gold at the 2012 Olympics on an emotional day at the All England Club when he defeated Roger Federer just weeks after he had lost the Wimbledon final to the Swiss on the same Centre Court.

Four years later, he defeated Juan Martin del Potro to become the first player, male or female, to win two Olympic singles golds.

Murray also led Britain to the Davis Cup title in 2015, the country’s first in 79 years.

He has won 46 titles in all and banked around $65 million in prize money.

International Tennis Federation president Dave Haggerty said Murray had “lived and breathed the values of tennis throughout his long career, championing equality and helping to send the message that our sport is for everyone”.

Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney hailed Murray as “our greatest-ever sportsman”.

“Heartfelt thanks to @andy_murray for an outstanding and inspiring career which has made a profound impact on so many,” he posted on X.

Murray’s mother, Judy, commented in a post on X: “5th Olympics. Final tournament,” followed by a symbol representing an explosion.

The British star’s success came in an era dominated by Federer, Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.

The so-called ‘Big Three’ have hoovered up 66 Grand Slam titles between them but time is catching up with the icons of the sport.

Federer won 20 majors before he retired in 2022.

Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam winner, is 38 years old and has played just six tournaments all year as he battles injury.

Djokovic, 37, the holder of 24 majors, has been deposed as Australian Open and Roland Garros champion in 2024.

Jannik Sinner, the 22-year-old Italian, succeeded him as champion in Melbourne and took his world number one ranking.

Carlos Alcaraz, 21, won the French Open and successfully defended his Wimbledon title, sweeping Djokovic off court in a one-sided final earlier this month.

If Djokovic loses his US Open title in September, it will be the first time since 2002 that at least one of the three giants has failed to win a Slam title.

The tennis competition in Paris begins at Roland Garros on July 27 and ends on August 4.

Tennis at the Summer Olympics is always one of the most anticipated events, but Paris 2024 might just take the cake. Numerous storylines from the world of tennis are in play, as the iconic Roland Garros welcomes the Olympics. The king of Roland Garros – Rafael Nadal – may be playing competitive tennis for the final time. He will be going for a third individual gold. His age-old rival Novak Djokovic is aiming for the one gold missing from his illustrious cabinet. Olympics 2024 is also certainly Andy Murray’s swansong. And between all this, a new demon has taken the world of tennis by storm.

Carlos Alcaraz heads into Paris 2024 having conquered the two most revered courts on earth in succession, winning the French Open and Wimbledon this year. However, perhaps more than the individual clash of titans, fans are also eagerly looking forward to Alcaraz and Nadal playing the men’s doubles together, representing Spain. A poetic pass of the baton from Nadal to Alcaraz sets up an almost Shakespearean storyline.

For India, Rohan Bopanna will pair up with N Sriram Balaji for the men’s doubles category, whilst Sumit Nagal will play the men’s singles.

Format

In Paris 2024, much like every other edition, tennis will have five separate categories: women’s singles, men’s singles, women’s doubles, men’s doubles and mixed doubles.

Apart from five editions, the bronze medal has been won by the winner of the match between the two losing semi-finalists. It remains the same in Paris.

Since 2021,  the deciding set (third) has a 7-point tiebreaker game to decide the match at 6-all. Should the tiebreaker game be tied at 6-all, whoever scores two straight points wins it.

History

The United States hold the most Olympic golds in the Open era, as well as all-time. Great Britain were the country to beat in the Amateur Era, but the United States have dominated in the Open Era.

The Williams sisters hold the most individual medals in Olympics history, but it is Venus who has one more than Serena. Both boast three golds in women’s doubles and a women’s singles gold, but Venus also won a silver in the Rio 2016 mixed doubles.

Among active male players, Andy Murray has three medals, two of them men’s singles gold (2012, 2016). Rafael Nadal has a singles gold (2008) and a doubles gold (2016). Alexander Zverev is the reigning men’s singles champion.

Leander Paes won India’s only Olympic tennis medal in Atlanta 1996, with a men’s singles bronze. Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi narrowly missed out on a doubles medal in Athens 2004, finishing fourth.

Emma Raducanu defended her controversial decision which ended Andy Murray’s Wimbledon career by withdrawing from their mixed doubles match on the eve of her fourth round singles defeat against Lulu Sun. Raducanu was scheduled to play with former Wimbledon champion Murray on Saturday, but opted to pull out of the tie due to a stiff wrist. The 2021 US Open champion wanted to avoid aggravating the problem prior to Sunday’s 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 loss to New Zealand qualifier Sun on Centre Court.

But the move provoked criticism as it shattered Murray’s hopes of one last appearance at the All England Club.

The two-time Wimbledon champion was unable to play the men’s singles as he was not fully recovered from surgery on spinal cyst, while he lost in the first round of the men’s doubles alongside brother Jamie.

Murray was said to be disappointed by Raducanu’s withdrawal, while the former world number one’s mother Judy described the move as “astonishing” on X, although she later claimed she was being sarcastic and understood the 21-year-old’s decision.

Asked if she regretted the move that ruined Murray’s Wimbledon farewell, Raducanu said: “Yesterday morning I just woke up with stiffness. I have to prioritise myself, my singles and my body.

“Of course, I didn’t want to take his last match away from him. But at the end of the day I think a lot of the players in a similar situation would have done the same thing, prioritising their body.

“I stand by the decision. Yeah, obviously it was a tough decision, though.”

Murray is now set to play for the last time in his career at the Paris Olympics, which start in later in July.

‘Put myself first’

“People are entitled to their opinions. Of course, there was a bit of a cloud around the decision,” she said.

“I think in this sport especially, as an individual, you have to make your own calls and prioritise yourself. Especially with my history, I just had to put myself first.

“Obviously disappointed because it’s his last match. But, yeah, what a champion. I think that hopefully he’ll play in the Olympics and have another farewell there.”

Responding to Murray’s mother, Raducanu added: “I haven’t seen her reaction, so I don’t know. Was she sarcastic? I’m sure she didn’t mean it.”

Raducanu had come into Wimbledon in good form after a dismal period since her fairytale triumph as an 18-year-old at the US Open.

But she still needed a wildcard to enter the singles after falling out of the top 100, making it hard for her to imagine the eventual schedule conflict between the singles and mixed doubles.

“I think going into the tournament, I wasn’t expecting to make fourth round. So for me it was a no-brainer. I would have loved to have played with him,” she said.

“He didn’t ask me, ‘If you’re still in the singles, are you going to play?’ That was never a question to be answered.”

Ironically, Raducanu was troubled by other injuries in her loss to Sun, as back and ankle problems played a role in her last 16 exit.

Despite the frustrating end to her Wimbledon run, Raducanu has finally rediscovered her passion for the sport.

“Honestly, it just makes me more determined. I think I really put myself first in the last few weeks. Tennis is the only thing that is really occupying my time, my mind. It’s all I want to do really,” she said.

“I think that desire and fire is back. I just want to keep building on that.”

Andy Murray’s iconic Wimbledon career ended with a whimper on Saturday when his mixed doubles partner Emma Raducanu pulled out of the event, denying the former champion one last appearance at the All England Club. Murray was due to have a final Wimbledon swansong with fellow Briton Raducanu after losing in the men’s doubles with his brother Jamie on Thursday. The 37-year-old is set to retire following the Paris Olympics, which start on July 26. Murray, a two-time Wimbledon champion, and Raducanu, who won the US Open in 2021, were scheduled to play Zhang Shuai and Marcelo Arevalo in the fourth match on Court One on Saturday. But Raducanu withdrew several hours before the match in a bid to ensure she did not aggravate a wrist problem.

“Unfortunately I woke up with some stiffness in my right wrist, so therefore I have decided to make the very tough decision to withdraw from the mixed doubles tonight,” she said in a statement.

“I’m disappointed as I was really looking forward to playing with Andy but got to take care.”

Murray was reportedly disappointed to be denied one more match on the Wimbledon grass.

Writing on X, Murray’s mother Judy described the news that Raducanu had pulled out as “astonishing”.

Murray produced some of the most memorable moments in recent Wimbledon history, leaving a legacy that the Princess of Wales was quick to salute on Saturday.

“An incredible Wimbledon career comes to an end. You should be so very proud Andy Murray. On behalf of all of us, thank you! C,” she wrote on X.

Murray became the first British man to win Wimbledon in 77 years when he beat Novak Djokovic in the 2013 final.

Emulating Fred Perry’s success was a cathartic moment for Murray after his loss to Roger Federer in the Wimbledon final 12 months earlier.

He erased that tear-stained defeat by beating Federer to win a gold medal in the London Olympics at Wimbledon just weeks later.

Murray lifted the Wimbledon trophy again in 2016, defeating Milos Raonic in the final to clinch what would prove to be the last Grand Slam title of his career.

Playing in a golden era for men’s tennis, Murray — who reached 11 Slam finals — was denied more silverware due to Federer, Djokovic and Rafael Nadal’s stranglehold on the sport’s major prizes.

Injuries also played a major role in the former world number one’s decline in recent years.

After having a metal hip inserted in 2019, suffering ankle damage and undergoing surgery to remove a cyst from his spine — which ruled him out of the singles at this year’s Wimbledon — Murray has been on a farewell tour of the grass-court Grand Slam.

Murray and brother Jamie were defeated 7-6 (8/6), 6-4 by Rinky Hijikata and John Peers of Australia in the first round of men’s doubles.

The Scot, a three-time Grand Slam winner, was given an emotional Centre Court send-off in front of his wife Kim and two of his children following that defeat.

He gave a tearful on-court interview in which he insisted there would be no change of heart about his decision to retire imminently.

“I know that it’s time now. I’m ready for that,” he said.

Murray will head off on a family holiday before preparing for the final event of his career at the Olympics, where he is entered in the singles event and the doubles with Dan Evans.

After beating ninth seed Maria Sakkari on Friday, Raducanu is due to play New Zealand qualifier Lulu Sun in the Wimbledon fourth round on Sunday.

She is aiming to reach the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam for the first time since her remarkable run at the US Open three years ago.

Raducanu, who has struggled with injuries since her triumph in New York, was seen practising at the All England Club on Saturday prior to the announcement of her mixed doubles withdrawal.

She had said the scheduling “was not ideal” after her mixed doubles match with Murray was given a late slot on Saturday, which would have offered little recovery time before facing Sun in the singles.

Andy Murray in tears after losing his Wimbledon first round men’s doubles match.© AFP

Andy Murray was given an emotional tribute after his final Wimbledon tournament started with a men’s doubles defeat as long-time rival Novak Djokovic came through a testing workout on Thursday. British two-time Wimbledon champion Murray, playing alongside brother Jamie, went down 7-6 (8/6) 6-4 to John Peers and Rinky Hijikata to the bitter disappointment of a partisan Centre Court crowd. Murray, the Wimbledon champion in 2013 and 2016, was entered in the men’s doubles and mixed doubles at the All England Club after running out of time to be fit for the singles following recent back surgery.

Murray’s parents Judy and Willie were on Centre Court alongside wife Kim and two of their daughters.

But the former world number one could not give his loyal fans the win they craved as the light faded on a cool summer evening, with the pairing failing to convert a set point in the opening set and being broken twice in the second.

After the defeat, the packed crowd watched a video of Murray’s career highlights, with warm tributes paid by a galaxy of stars including Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and former mixed doubles partner Serena Williams.

Djokovic was courtside to witness his career-long rival’s emotional evening in the spotlight alongside past greats including John McEnroe and Martina Navratilova.

“Look, it is hard because I would love to keep playing but I can’t, a tearful Murray said during an on-court interview. “Physically it is too tough now, all of the injuries, they have added up and they haven’t been insignificant.

“I want to play forever, I love the sport and it’s given me so much. It’s taught me loads of lessons over the years I can use for the rest of my life. I don’t want to stop so it is hard.”

Defeat does not yet spell the end for Murray’s Wimbledon journey as he is also scheduled to play mixed doubles with British compatriot and former US Open champion Emma Raducanu.

The 37-year-old Scot, who has been ravaged by injuries in recent years is targeting the Olympics in Paris, starting later this month, as the final tournament of a glittering career.

Djokovic tested

Earlier, seven-time champion Djokovic came through a testing battle against British wild card Jacob Fearnley 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 7-5.

It appeared to be business as usual for the Serbian as he coasted into a two-set lead on Centre Court but the 277th-ranked Fearnley broke his illustrious opponent twice in the third set to reduce the deficit.

Fearnley, playing in his first Grand Slam, carved out two break points in the sixth game of the fourth set but missed his chance and Djokovic broke in the 11th game before serving out for the win.

Djokovic, who is playing with protection after a recent knee operation, is seeking to equal Federer’s record of eight Wimbledon men’s titles and is aiming for a record 25th Grand Slam title.

“I hope as the tournament progresses I’ll feel better,” he said.

“I don’t know if I was comfortable in my own skin in the third and fourth. You have rough days when you’re not feeling your best.”

Jessica Pegula, seeded five, became the highest-ranked player to exit the tournament so far, going down 6-4, 6-7 (7/9), 6-1 to China’s Wang Xinyu, who celebrated her first win against a top-10 player.

Wang will face Harriet Dart, who defeated Nottingham champion Katie Boulter in an all-British clash for a spot in the last 16.

World number one Iga Swiatek progressed smoothly at the expense of Croatia’s Petra Martic — her 21st straight win.

A single break in each set was enough to give the 23-year-old, who has never been past the quarter-finals at Wimbledon, a 6-4, 6-3 victory.

“It’s not the first time I’ve come into this tournament with a ‘streak’,” she said. “It’s not that easy to have this baggage on your shoulders. 

“This year feels different. I don’t feel like everyone is focusing on it. Two years ago was a lot harder when it was 30-something matches (37).”

Elsewhere on day four of Wimbledon, two-time finalist Ons Jabeur beat US qualifier Robin Montgomery while Elena Rybakina, the 2022 women’s champion, finished strongly to beat Germany’s Laura Siegemund 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.

On the men’s side, French Open finalist Alexander Zverev saw off Marcos Giron in straight sets but Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas crashed out in four sets to Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori.

Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz, seen as an outside tip for the title, was forced to quit his second-round match against Arthur Fils with a knee injury.

Novak Djokovic came through a testing Wimbledon workout to stay on course for a record-equalling eighth men’s title on Thursday as Andy Murray prepared to launch his emotional farewell. Jessica Pegula became the highest-ranked player to exit the tournament so far, dumped out by China’s Wang Xinyu in the second round but women’s top seed Iga Swiatek cruised through. Seven-time champion Djokovic did not have it all his own way against British wild card Jacob Fearnley but came through 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 7-5 in a match lasting three hours. It appeared to be business as usual for the Serbian as he coasted into a two-set lead on Centre Court but the 277th-ranked Fearnley broke his illustrious opponent twice in the third set to reduce the deficit.

Fearnley, playing in his first Grand Slam, carved out two break points in the sixth game of the fourth set but missed his chance and Djokovic broke in the 11th game before serving out for the win.

“I didn’t have a chance to see him play,” said Djokovic, 37. “Actually two days ago, I saw him for the first time

“Obviously there’s always an element of surprise and with him having nothing to lose.”

“Most of the British players grow up being exposed to grass courts, quick surfaces, so they know exactly how to play. It’s a very windy day, very challenging conditions and I thought he served very well.”

Djokovic, who is playing with protection after a recent knee operation, is seeking to equal Roger Federer’s record of eight Wimbledon men’s titles and is aiming for a record 25th Grand Slam title.

Fifth-ranked Pegula went down 6-4, 6-7 (7/9), 6-1 to China’s Wang Xinyu, who celebrated her first win against a top-10 player.

The American battled back after losing the first set, saving a match point in the second-set tie-break, before levelling the match.

But China’s 42nd-ranked Wang raced into a 5-0 lead in the decider and sealed the deal.

Wang, 22, said: “Couple of days ago I was asking my coach, ‘When will this happen?’

“Jessica was really tough to play on grass. Her ball was super low and I’m just really happy I won in the end.”

Wang will face Harriet Dart, who defeated Nottingham champion Katie Boulter in an all-British clash for a spot in the last 16.

World number one Swiatek progressed smoothly into the third round at the expense of Croatia’s Petra Martic, racking up a 21st straight win.

A single break in each set was enough to give the 23-year-old, who has never been past the quarter-finals at Wimbledon, a 6-4, 6-3 victory.

All eyes will be on Centre Court in the evening when Murray launches his Wimbledon farewell alongside his brother Jamie in the men’s doubles.

Murray, the champion in 2013 and 2016, was desperate for one last crack at the singles but ran out of time after recent surgery to remove a spinal cyst.

The British former world number one still has a chance to wave goodbye to his adoring fans in both the men’s doubles and mixed doubles as he treads the turf for a final time, 19 years after his Wimbledon debut.

“I’m hoping maybe for a bit of closure. I just want the opportunity to play one more time out there, hopefully on Centre Court, and feel that buzz,” the 37-year-old said before the tournament started.

Murray is a three-time Grand Slam singles champion but has form in the doubles — teaming up with Jamie to help Britain win the 2015 Davis Cup.

The Murrays will face Australian pair Rinky Hijikata and John Peers on Thursday, with the decibel count expected to soar.

Andy Murray is also scheduled to play mixed doubles with British compatriot and former US Open champion Emma Raducanu.

Elsewhere on day four of Wimbledon, two-time finalist Ons Jabeur beat US qualifier Robin Montgomery in straight sets while Elena Rybakina, the 2022 women’s champion, finished strongly to beat Germany’s Laura Siegemund 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.

On the men’s side, 10th seed Grigor Dimitrov came back from two sets down to beat China’s Shang Juncheng while Swiss veteran Stan Wawrinka exited at the hands of Gael Monfils.

Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz, seen as an outside tip for the title, was forced to quit his second-round match against Arthur Fils with a knee injury.

French Open runner-up Alexander Zverev, the Wimbledon fourth seed, is last on the list on Court One.

File image of Andy Murray and Emma Raducanu.© X (Twitter)

Andy Murray lost his race to be fit for the Wimbledon singles on Tuesday as Novak Djokovic prepared to launch his bid for a record-equalling eighth Wimbledon men’s crown. The withdrawal of two-time champion Murray means Djokovic is the only member of the fabled “Big Four” in the men’s draw at the All England Club. Roger Federer has retired and Rafael Nadal opted to skip Wimbledon to prepare for a shot at another Olympic title. Murray, 37, is hoping to end his stellar career at the upcoming Paris Games but desperately wanted to make a final singles appearance at Wimbledon, where he was champion in 2013 and 2016.

The Scot, who has been ravaged by injuries in recent years, will still play doubles with his brother Jamie in what is bound to be an emotional farewell in front of his adoring British fans.

Murray underwent surgery to remove a cyst from his back last month after being forced to pull out of Queen’s, a procedure he described as “not insignificant”.

But he admitted defeat in his race to be fit on Tuesday.

“Unfortunately, despite working incredibly hard on his recovery since his operation just over a week ago, Andy has taken the very difficult decision not to play the singles this year,” said a statement from Murray’s representatives.

“As you can imagine, he is extremely disappointed but has confirmed that he will be playing in the doubles with Jamie and looks forward to competing at Wimbledon for the last time.”

Murray was replaced in the draw by Belgium’s David Goffin, a lucky loser from qualifying.

History-chasing Djokovic

Djokovic, born a week apart from Murray in May 1987, had a knee operation after pulling out before his French Open quarter-final — sparking fears he would not be fit in time for Wimbledon.

But the Serbian world number two, who was beaten by Carlos Alcaraz in last year’s final, has said he is “pain-free” and opens against Czech qualifier Vit Kopriva.

He knows time is not on his side as he bids to equal Federer’s Wimbledon title record and become the first player — man or woman — to win 25 Grand Slam singles titles.

“I do have something that is described as a feeling of not missing out at a Grand Slam while I can still play and while I’m still active and at this level,” said the Djokovic, who has reached the past five finals at the All England Club.

“I wouldn’t call it a fear of missing out. I would just say it’s this incredible desire to play, just to compete.

“Particularly because it is Wimbledon, the tournament that always has been a dream tournament for me when I was a kid. Just the thought of me missing Wimbledon was just not correct. I didn’t want to deal with that.”

Also in action on the second day of the Championships is women’s world number one and five-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek, eager to progress beyond the quarter-finals for the first time.

Swiatek, 23, arrives at the All England Club on the back of a 19-match winning streak but with lingering questions over whether she can transfer her clay-court form to the grass.

First up for the Polish player is Sofia Kenin, whom Swiatek defeated in the first round of the Australian Open this year.

Marketa Vondrousova launches her title defence against Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro while 2022 champion Elena Rybakina is also in first-round action.

Ons Jabeur, the beaten finalist in 2022 and 2023, takes on Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima.

Emma Raducanu has declined the opportunity to represent Great Britain in next month’s Paris Olympics. The 2021 US Open champion, who is still recovering from surgery on her wrists and ankle, was offered one of the two International Tennis Federation (ITF) places reserved for former Grand Slam champions. However, Raducanu has chosen to focus on her fitness and prepare for the upcoming British grass-court season. Raducanu’s current world ranking is too low to qualify outright for the Olympics, a consequence of her time away from the sport due to injury. The 21-year-old missed the French Open, which is played on the same Roland Garros clay courts that will host the Olympic tennis tournament, to ensure she is in peak condition for the British grass-court swing.

Iain Bates, head of Great Britain’s Olympic tennis team, shared insights into Raducanu’s decision. “I have had various conversations with Emma over the last couple of weeks and a slightly longer period where it’s very clear how much being part of a British team at an Olympics would mean to her,” Bates said.

“I think she feels this isn’t going to be the right timing for her for this summer. She’s hopefully got many Olympics ahead of her. I’m very comfortable with the decision that she’s made.”

Meanwhile, two-time Olympic gold medallist Andy Murray is set to compete in what might be his final tournament. The 37-year-old tennis icon, who won gold in London 2012 and Rio 2016, has been granted an ITF place for Paris 2024.

Earlier this year, Murray hinted that he did not expect to “play much past this summer,” adding a layer of poignancy to his participation in the upcoming Games.

Great Britain’s tennis nominations, announced at Queen’s Club on Sunday, include a mix of seasoned players and rising stars. Joining Murray in the men’s singles are Cameron Norrie, Jack Draper, and Dan Evans. Katie Boulter is the only British woman to have qualified by ranking.

In doubles action, Murray and Dan Evans are slated to pair up in the men’s doubles. Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski will also compete in the men’s doubles, leveraging their high world rankings. For the women’s doubles, Boulter and Heather Watson will team up, alongside another pair, Harriet Dart and Maia Lumsden.

The Olympic tennis tournament, scheduled from July 27 to August 4 at Roland Garros, will feature five medal events: women’s singles, men’s singles, women’s doubles, men’s doubles, and mixed doubles. As the event draws closer, the ITF will finalize and announce the full entry list on July 4.

–IANS

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