Andy Murray
has already warned that 2024 may be the last year of his career.
In June he will turn 37 and the wear and tear on his physique due to the passage of time, but mainly due to the number of injuries, is bringing that final curtain closer to a masterful career.
“If at the end of 2024 I find myself in a situation like the one I found myself at the end of 2023, I probably wouldn't continue, but if physically I feel good, my results are good and I'm having fun, I could continue playing,” he told the
BBC
The Scot, who was No. 1 in the world, won three Grand Slams, two Olympic golds and the Davis Cup, among other achievements, and all in the years of dominance of
Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic
.
His last photo has him
in 49th place in the ATP ranking
, affected by his multiple hip operations, a situation that led him to leave the courts in January 2019, to return a few months later giving a demonstration of sportsmanship that It is an example in sports.
Although he was able to get back into the top 50 in the world, Andy
lost six of the last seven games he played in 2023
, and the start of the season maintained the negative trend, with
three other falls
: in Brisbane against Dimitrov, in Australia with the Argentine Etcheverry and this week at the ATP 250 in Montpellier against Benoit Paire, a Frenchman ranked 112th in the world ranking.
Andy Murray, eliminated from the first round of the Australian Open at the hands of Tomás Etcheverry.
Photo: REUTERS / Tracey Nearmy.
For all this, a BBC journalist was encouraged to wonder if the end of Murray's career is much closer than Andy himself plans.
"Is all this really worth it?"
, literally says the note, which reached the tennis player's eyes.
In the analysis of Murray's present, 2024 is talked about with a contemplative gaze, highlighting that he had to fall against Dimitrov, champion in Brisbane, and against Etcheverry, "12 years younger and seeded," according to the article.
However, the defeat against Benoit Paire (he had not won for a year and a half, and lost the first set) is hitting rock bottom: "It is possible that Murray is suffering from a physical problem, but the damage it may be causing to his mind is a reason." of greatest concern. He says he wants to continue playing while enjoying it. Surely the fun stopped many months ago," writes journalist
Kheredine Idessane
.
Andy Murray and the image of recent times.
Photo: REUTERS / Tracey Nearmy.
And there comes the comment that provoked Murray's reaction: "At what point does bravery start to
damage your legacy
?"
"It has been an incredible journey by an extraordinary man. And it is a great privilege to witness much of it. Of course,
all good things come to an end
. So when should Andy Murray call time on his extraordinary career?" ", wrote the journalist on Twitter.
Murray's response on the networks
The Scot took Idessane's comment and chose chivalry over bad manners to refute the journalist's analysis.
Furthermore, he once again demonstrated that tennis is much more than a sport that is measured in titles, games and sets for him.
"Tarnish my legacy? Do me a favor..." Andy began by saying, in a message that quickly began to be retweeted by all tennis fans.
And he shot: "I'm in a very bad moment right now, I'll give you that. Most people would quit or give up in the situation I face today. But I'm not most people and my mind works differently." .
Tarnishing my legacy?
Do me favor.
I'm in a terrible moment right now I'll give you that.
Most people would remove and give up in my situation right now.
But I'm not most people and my mind works differently.
I won't quit.
I will keep fighting and working to produce the… https://t.co/nF0var6IfL
— Andy Murray (@andy_murray) January 30, 2024
In case anyone had doubts, Andy closed his message by motivating himself: "I'm not going to give up. I'm going to continue fighting and working to achieve the performances that I know I'm capable of."
It is true that the idea of seeing Murray at Wimbledon this year seems like a distant and complicated path to cross given the poor performance of the former number 1 in recent matches.
However, we will have to trust in his heart and willpower, taking into account that the Scot's desire is to play in the British Open in 2025, when 20 years will have passed since the first of his career.