- Andy Murray was eliminated in the first round of the Australian Open
- He lost 6-4 6-2 6-2 to 30th seed Tomas Martin Etcheverry in Melbourne
- The Briton has hinted that this may be his last visit to the Australian Open
An emotional Andy Murray admitted his will to express himself on the court may have finally fizzled out as he once again hinted he could quit tennis.
The two-time Wimbledon champion crashed out of the first round of the Australian Open on Monday, losing to Tomas Martin Etcheverry in straight sets.
Murray, a five-time finalist at Melbourne Park, was defeated 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 by the 30th seed Argentine before admitting there was a ‘distinct possibility’ his first round defeat could also be his last performance at the Australian would be. Open.
The 36-year-old cut a despondent figure after abandoning his straight sets and admitted he felt he had nothing left to give.
Murray’s voice seemed to crack as he spoke to Laura Robson, with whom he won a silver medal in mixed doubles at the 2012 London Olympics.
Andy Murray admitted he could retire from tennis at the end of this year
‘I will? I don’t feel like doing that right now,” he said on Eurosport after she suggested he had “a lot more to give.”
The Scot added: (At) This past year has been really hard for me and I haven’t really enjoyed it.
‘I still feel like I can play good tennis, but that doesn’t happen when I go onto the competition court and that’s what matters, not in practice.’
Murray previously gave the biggest hint, but this could be his last year on tour.
“It’s definitely possible this is the last time I play here,” he said after losing to Etcheverry.
“Compared to the games I played here last year, it’s the complete opposite feeling when you walk off the field.”
“I have an idea of when I would probably like to finish, so much depends on how you play. The time frame for that becomes smaller when you play and get results like today.”
The Scot was defeated 6-4 6-2 6-2 by 30th seed Tomas Martin Etcheverry
Murray made a point of waving to the Melbourne crowd as if to say goodbye
But while he added that the prospect of retirement has long been discussed with his family and team, he insisted no date has yet been set.
‘I talked to them about it. “I talked to my family about it several times,” he explained.
‘I talked to my team about it. they are very aware of how I feel about things, where I would like to end up playing, when that would be.
‘I haven’t made a final decision on that yet. It’s obviously something I’ll have to think about and see when exactly that is.”