Sir Andy Murray displayed his signature sense of humour just minutes after his remarkable tennis career came to an end on Thursday night.
The two-time Olympic champion bowed out of the sport as he and his Team GB partner Dan Evans were beaten in straight sets by USA duo Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul in the doubles quarter-final.
Prior to the Games starting, Murray announced that he would retire from the sport upon the completion of the event at Paris 2024.
And the 37-year-old cut an emotional figure as he waved to fans at Court Suzanne Lenglen, before a tennis court for the final time in his career.
However, it didn’t take him long to find his usual wit as he took to social media app X to joke about it all. ‘Never even liked tennis anyway,’ posted Murray.
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The last match of Andy Murray’s glittering tennis career ended in defeat in Paris on Thursday
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Murray and Team GB partner Dan Evans lost in the quarter-finals of the Olympic men’s doubles
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Taylor Fritz (right) and Tommy Paul (left) will now take on an Australian duo in the semi-finals
With retirement looming over his head throughout the tournament, Murray admitted he is now ready for the next stage of his life.
Speaking to BBC Sport following the loss, he said: ‘I have been ready for this moment for the last few months since I had the operation on my back – I knew it was the right time and I feel lucky to come and compete here.
‘I am grateful to Dan Evans for putting in the effort he did to give us a good chance to having a great run. I am looking forward to stopping now.
‘I gave as much as I could to the sport and I love competing in the Olympic Games. These weeks are so special and I will definitely miss them – I have done everything I could 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 a part of Team GB and I will miss it.’
Having pulled out of the singles event to fully focus on his bid for men’s doubles glory, Murray briefly teased fans that the final chapter might just be a golden one.
After saving five match points to beat Japan in the first round, Murray and Evans saved some more en route to defeating Belgium in the second. But they were well beaten on Thursday, losing 6-2 6-4.
Fritz and Paul will now meet Australia’s Matthew Ebden and John Peers in the semis.
An emotional farewell from Andy Murray 🥹
Thank you, Andy ❤
#Olympics #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/MO01RB7iyh
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August 1, 2024
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An emotional Murray pictured waving as he left court following the final match of his career
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Tears were shed by both Murray and Evans as they shared a post-match hug at Roland Garros
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Murray also received a hug from Taylor Fritz, who is currently 12th in the ATP singles rankings
Murray won three Grand Slam singles titles during his career, including Wimbledon twice. He also won three Olympic medals for Great Britain – two singles golds, plus a silver in the mixed doubles at London 2012.
Fritz and Paul led the applause as Murray made his emotional exit from court.
Murray – who was knighted in 2019 – retires with a huge legacy in tow. The Scot won 46 singles titles in an era he shared with Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. He beat a member of that famous trio on 29 occasions.
Murray was the year-end World No 1 in 2016 – the year he won his second Wimbledon title and became a double Olympic champion. He won 739 of his 1,001 matches on the ATP Tour and won $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 and sparked widespread reaction from the world of sport and beyond.
UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer tweeted on Thursday night: 1′ Davis Cup, 2 Olympic golds and 3 Grand Slams. But more than that, thanks @andy_murray for two decades of phenomenal entertainment and sportsmanship. A true British great.’
Scotland’s first minister John Swinney added: ‘Commiserations to @andy_murray and Dan Evans.
‘They put up such a spirited performance. Thank you Andy for how you have inspired us all. Scotland could not be more proud of you and all you have given us.’
UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer reacted to Murray’s retirement by praising him via X
John Swinney tweeted: ‘Scotland could not be more proud of you and all you have given us’
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Murray won three Grand Slam singles titles during his career, including Wimbledon twice
British tennis player Naomi Broady said on BBC Radio 5 Live: ‘The legacy Andy Murray leaves will continue to impact British tennis for decades to come.’
Two-time Olympic cycling champion Victoria Pendleton added: ‘I think he’s given so much to British sport and the Olympics indeed.
‘I’ve been lucky enough to meet Andy on a few occasions and he has always been humble, driven and kind and that speaks volumes.
‘His legacy is undoubtedly enormous in the wake of him retiring from sport. He has given his whole body to achieve such great things, and we’re all grateful for that.
‘I just want to say thank you Andy Murray for being such a hero.’
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Despite losing 6-2 6-4, Murray and Evans still produced some moments of magic on Thursday
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But there were also moments of disappointment as Murray appeared frustrated at times
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Murray waved goodbye to tennis at Roland Garros with the five Olympic rings behind him
Presenter and author Greg James said via social media: ‘It’s going to be awful having to watch tennis and not feel sick to your stomach isn’t it.
‘Thank you Andy Murray – it’s been, at times, a complete f***ing nightmare but I wouldn’t change any of it. I don’t even want to debate it, he’s our greatest ever sportsperson.’
