Andy Murray’s glittering career comes to an end: Tearful two-time Wimbledon champion bows out of Olympics after doubles defeat alongside Dan Evans in what is Scot’s final ever tennis match
- Andy Murray played the final match of his remarkable tennis career on Thursday
- Murray and Team GB partner Dan Evans lost in an Olympic doubles quarter-final
- They were defeated 6-2 6-4 by American duo Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul at Paris 2024
Sir Andy Murray’s remarkable tennis career came to an end on Thursday night when he and Team GB teammate Dan Evans were defeated in an Olympic quarter-final by American duo Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul.
Murray, 37, announced ahead of Paris 2024 that it would be his final event before retiring.
After Murray retired from singles to focus fully on his battle for glory in men’s doubles, he teased fans that the final chapter could be a golden one.
After saving five match points in the first round to beat Japan, Murray and Evans saved a few more to beat Belgium in the second round.
But on Thursday they were soundly defeated, losing 6-2 6-4.
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
Fritz and Paul will face Australians Matthew Ebden and John Peers in the semi-finals.
Murray won three Grand Slam singles titles during his career, including two Wimbledon titles.
He also won three Olympic medals for Great Britain: two golds in singles and one silver in mixed doubles at the 2012 Games in London.
Murray was photographed crying on court after Thursday’s defeat. Evans was also in tears.
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.
The Scot won 46 singles titles in an era he shared with Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
He defeated a member of that famous trio 29 times.
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 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 public events.
His departure was no exception and provoked many reactions from the sports 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.’
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.”
Murray won three Grand Slam singles titles during his career, including two Wimbledon titles
Two-time Olympic cycling champion Victoria Pendleton added: “I think he’s given so much to British sport and the Olympics. I’ve been lucky enough to meet Andy a few times and he’s always been humble, driven and kind and that speaks volumes.
‘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.”
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 fucking nightmare at times but I wouldn’t change a thing. I don’t even want to debate it, he’s our best ever sportsman.’
More to follow.