Andy Murray: One Last Fight
If there was ever any doubt that Andy Murray was at the end of his playing career after his emotional breakdown at Wimbledon, he made it clear today.
“I came to Paris for my last tennis tournament,” he said. “Competing for Team (Great Britain) has been one of the most memorable weeks of my career and I’m so proud to make it to the finals!”
Murray, 37, will compete in Paris looking to catch lightning in a bottle and finish in the medal position, too. Murray became a two-time Olympic gold medalist as he defeated Roger Federer in the final 2012 in London, and defeated Juan Martin Del Potro in the tournament 2016 games to defend that title.
It would be a fitting end to an impressive career overshadowed in large part by the names of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. But the Brit was able to successfully break his armor to win 3 grand slam titles (2 at Wimbledon, too 1 of In the US Open). He, too, finished an impressive second 5 times at the Australian Open. Add two Olympic gold medals, and you’ve got the job done.
(image via X/Twitter)
In what will go down as a great season in men’s tennis, it’s hard to overstate the importance of Murray winning Wimbledon, not once, but twice. In 2013beat Novak Djokovic in straight sets to become the first Brit to claim the title since Fred Perry. 1936. Murray recently expressed his relief at winning the title, stressing the pressure.
“After I won, I felt relieved,” he said to the youth BBC a documentary. “It was my most important match, as I believe that if I was sitting here today without winning Wimbledon, everything else I have achieved in my career would not matter.”
Despite the accolades Murray received during his career, for many he will be considered one of the greatest players. He endured many surgeries and medical procedures. He found himself recovering after another. And while some thought he should have hung up his racket years ago, the Scotsman kept fighting. Why? Because of his love for the game. He was willing to put himself through all of that, to keep competing. He made that clear when he said goodbye to Wimbledon.
“I want to play forever,” he told Sue Barker in front of his fans. “I love the game. I don’t want to stop.”
Regardless, Murray will stop and his days as a competitive singles player are at an end. Many eyes will be on the Brit last time out as he hopes to make one last run. Whatever the outcome, make no mistake, Andy Murray will long be remembered as one of the greatest players to ever play the game.