Retired star reveals he struggled with criticism and how he is now enjoying golf instead of tennis
Sir Andy Murray has spoken out about having to deal with the high levels of expectation placed on him when he was on court.
The 37-year-old Scot, who retired at the Paris Olympics last month, said it was not just at the end of his career when he found media criticism difficult.
Sir Andy, a three-time Grand Slam champion, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme he often felt he was “failing”, despite being “extremely successful”.
He said: “It was really hard for me at times, reaching the final at Wimbledon and being criticised for your work or feeling you are not good enough.
“Which I think is wrong and I don’t know if that would be the case in every country.
“It might have not been the case, but my perception was I was feeling I was being attacked even when I was doing really well, and that was pretty hard.”
The star said he is focusing more on golf now that he was retired, but that he will continue to “love tennis”.
His well-documented back and hip problems largely kept him off the golf course towards the end of his tennis career.
Sir Andy said: “I want to get to scratch, whether that is possible or not I don’t know. I’ve got a lot of time on my hands to practise.”
He had a hip resurfacing operation in 2019 and was beset with injuries stuggles in the latter years of his career.
