One of the all-time tennis greats is officially retired.
Andy Murray, 37, played in his final professional career match on Thursday during the 2024 Paris Olympics — a doubles loss to Americans Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul.
Murray and fellow British star Daniel Evans lost in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4 in a match that lasted 1 hour and 17 minutes.
“I knew that moment was coming for the last few months,” Murray said after the loss. “If it didn’t happen today, that was going to be in a couple days’ time, and I was ready for it. Obviously, I was emotional, because it’s the last time I will play a competitive match. But I am genuinely happy, just now. I’m happy with how it’s finished.”
Following Great Britain’s defeat in the men’s doubles quarterfinal, an emotional Murray acknowledged the Court Suzanne-Lenglen crowd at Roland Garros.
Tributes poured in on social media.
“It was a privilege to share the court with you, Andy!” wrote reigning Wimbledon champ Carlos Alcaraz, who posted a picture of the two embracing. “Congratulations on a legendary career and for being an example to all. You will always have a fan here! @andy_murray”
Murray also made a joke, posting on X: “Never even liked tennis anyway” around an hour after his match concluded.
Never even liked tennis anyway.
— Andy Murray (@andy_murray) August 1, 2024
The Glasgow, U.K. native was a two-time Wimbledon winner — most recently in 2016 — and won the 2012 U.S. Open.
Murray was also iconic in the Olympic realm, claiming gold in men’s singles in 2012 and 2016 — still the only Olympian to pull off the individual feat.
Having turned pro in 2005, Murray’s final Grand Slam came in July at the doubles tournament at Wimbledon, although he and his brother, Jamie, fell in straight sets in the first round.
Murray tweeted on July 23 that the Olympics would mark his final career event.
“Arrived in Paris for my last ever tennis tournament @Olympics,” he wrote. “Competing for [Great Britain] have been by far the most memorable weeks of my career and I’m extremely proud to get do it one final time!”
Despite his career accolades, Murray hadn’t won a Grand Slam since 2016 or finished as a runner-up in any major since eight years ago.
This year, Murray lost in the first round of the French Open (singles and doubles), Australian Open (singles) and Wimbledon (doubles).
However, his legacy will hardly be forgotten.
In fact, in honor of Murray, the Lawn Tennis Association announced that the centre court at the Queen’s Club in London will be named The Andy Murray Arena in 2025.
