Extended Q&A with Andy Murray: His Paris 2024 farewell, the legacy he leaves in tennis
The two-time Olympic champion sits down with Olympics.com for an expansive discussion on his retirement, what the Games have meant to him, his friendship with Rafael Nadal and more.
The morning after Andy Murray played the final match of his professional tennis career, which came nearly 22 years after his first in 2002, the two-time Olympic gold medallist arrived to Team GB’s training centre, in the northwest of Paris.
Upon his arrival, the other British Olympians at the centre had formed a receiving line, known in Great Britain as a guard of honour. They cheered wildly as Murray strolled in, slowed at 37 by several hip surgeries – and a collection of other injuries that spelled the end of his career.
“Thank you,” Murray kept repeating as he made his way through the cheers. “Thank you very much.”
It was clear that the tennis champion was overwhelmed by the reception, which came just over 12 hours after he and doubles partner Dan Evans had lost in the quarter-finals of Paris 2024, ending their hope for a medal – and, subsequently – Murray’s career.
“It was obviously sad leaving the court for the last time,” Murray said minutes later in a sit-down with Olympics.com. “But happy, too. You know, ultimately, I’m glad I got to finish my career on my own terms. You know, on the court in front of a brilliant crowd.”
