Tennis legend Andy Murray has admitted Australian Open 2024 could possibly be his final after being thrashed by Tomas Martin Etcheverry within the first spherical.
The 36-year-old had no solutions as he was soundly overwhelmed by the Argentine 30th seed 6-Four 6-2 6-2 in two hours and 23 minutes.
Murray has struggled to return to his greatest tennis after having a number of surgical procedures on his hip, and hasn’t reached a Grand Slam fourth spherical since Wimbledon 2017.
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After being overwhelmed at KIA Enviornment, Murray spent an elongated period of time on the courtroom waving goodbye to followers – the primary indication that the tip could possibly be evening for the three-time Grand Slam winner.
In his post-match press convention, Murray revealed he was contemplating retirement, particularly after the gravity of his defeat to Etcheverry.
“Yeah, it’s a particular chance that would be the final time I play right here. And yeah, I believe in all probability due to how the match went and all the things, I don’t know,” Murray stated.
“While you’re taking part in the match, you’re clearly making an attempt to manage your feelings, give attention to the factors and all the things. If you’re one level away from the tip, you’re like, I can’t imagine that is over so shortly, and like this.
“Yeah, compared to the matches that I performed right here final yr, it’s the exact opposite feeling strolling off the courtroom. Yeah, want I concerned the gang extra. Simply dissatisfied with the best way I performed and all of that stuff, so… yeah, powerful, powerful approach to end.”
Andy Murray’s tennis profession
Murray received three Grand Slam titles – US Open 2012 and Wimbledon in 2013 and 2016 – as he battled tennis greats reminiscent of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
The Scottish-born star featured in 11 Grand Slam finals in complete, together with 5 dropping deciders on the Australian Open.
He received two Olympic gold medals in singles, defeating Federer at London 2012 and Juan Martin Del Potro at Rio 2016.
Murray was ranked world no.1 for 41 weeks throughout his profession, which started in 2005.
