Andy Murray jokes he ‘never even liked tennis anyway’ just minutes after his glittering career comes to an end… as two-time Wimbledon champion also makes a change to his social media bio after Olympic exit

Sir Andy Murray showed his trademark sense of humour just minutes after his remarkable tennis career came to an end on Thursday night.

The two-time Olympic champion retired from the sport after he and British teammate Dan Evans were defeated in three sets in the doubles quarter-finals by American duo Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul.

Before the Games began, Murray announced that he would retire from the sport after the 2024 Paris event.

And the 37-year-old looked emotional as he waved to fans on Court Suzanne Lenglen for the final time in his tennis career.

However, it didn’t take long for him to find his usual sense of humour again, joking about it on social media app X. ‘I never liked tennis anyway,’ Murray posted.

The final match of Andy Murray’s brilliant tennis career ended in defeat in Paris on Thursday

Murray and Team GB partner Dan Evans lost in the quarter-finals of the Olympic men’s doubles

Taylor Fritz (right) and Tommy Paul (left) will now face an Australian duo in the semi-finals

While he was on the verge of retirement during the tournament, Murray admitted he is now ready for the next phase of his life.

Speaking to BBC Sport after the loss, he said: ‘I’ve been ready for this moment for the last few months since I had surgery on my back, I knew it was the right time and I feel privileged to be here competing.

‘I am grateful to Dan Evans for the effort he has made to give us a good chance of a great run and I look forward to retiring now.

“I have given as much as I could to the sport and I am thrilled to be competing at the Olympics. These weeks are so special and I will definitely miss them – I have done everything I can to prepare for this event.

‘It would have been a fairytale ending to win a medal but it wasn’t to be. Proud to be part of Team GB and will miss it.’

After retiring from singles to focus fully on his battle for glory in men’s doubles, Murray briefly gave fans a sneak peek into the final chapter, which could well be a golden one.

After saving five match points to beat Japan in the first round, Murray and Evans saved a few more en route to a second-round win over Belgium, but they were soundly beaten on Thursday, losing 6-2 6-4.

Fritz and Paul will face Australians Matthew Ebden and John Peers in the semi-finals.

An emotional Murray is pictured waving as he leaves the field after the final game of his career

Murray and Evans shed tears as they embraced after the match at Roland Garros

Murray also received a hug from Taylor Fritz, who is currently ranked 12th in the ATP singles rankings

Murray won three Grand Slam singles titles in his career, including two Wimbledon titles. He also won three Olympic medals for Great Britain – two golds in singles, plus a silver medal in mixed doubles at London 2012.

Fritz and Paul were the first to applaud as Murray emotionally left the court.

Murray – who was knighted in 2019 – retires with a huge inheritance in tow. The Scot won 46 singles titles in an era he shared with Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, beating a member of that famous trio 29 times.

Murray was world No. 1 in 2016, the year he won his second Wimbledon title and became a two-time Olympic champion. He won 739 of his 1,001 matches on the ATP Tour, earning $64,677,584 in prize money.

As Britain’s tennis king, his career felt like a series of very public events. His retirement was no different, drawing widespread reaction from the sporting world and beyond.

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer tweeted on Thursday night: 1 Davis Cup, 2 Olympic gold medals and 3 Grand Slams. But more than that, thank you @andy_murray for two decades of phenomenal entertainment and sportsmanship. A true British great.’

Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney added: ‘Sympathies to @andy_murray and Dan Evans.

“They gave such an energetic performance. Thank you Andy for inspiring us all. Scotland couldn’t be prouder of you and all you’ve given us.”

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer responded to Murray’s resignation by praising him via X

John Swinney tweeted: ‘Scotland couldn’t be more proud of you and all you have given us’

Murray won three Grand Slam singles titles during his career, including two Wimbledon titles

British tennis star Naomi Broady said on BBC Radio 5 Live: “The legacy Andy Murray leaves behind will impact British tennis for decades to come.”

Two-time Olympic cycling champion Victoria Pendleton added: ‘I think he’s done a huge amount for British sport and the Olympic Games.

‘I’ve been fortunate enough to meet Andy a few times and he’s always humble, driven and friendly. That says it all.

‘His legacy is undoubtedly immense after his retirement from the sport. He gave his whole body to achieve such great things, and for that we are all grateful.

“I just want to thank Andy Murray for being such a hero.”

Despite losing 6-2 6-4, Murray and Evans still provided some magical moments on Thursday

But there were also moments of disappointment, as Murray seemed frustrated at times

Murray waved goodbye to tennis at Roland Garros with the five Olympic rings behind him

Presenter and author Greg James said on social media: ‘It’s awful to have to watch tennis and not feel sick, isn’t it?’

‘Thank you Andy Murray – it’s been a complete f***ing nightmare at times but I wouldn’t change a thing. I don’t even want to debate it, he’s our best ever sportsman.’