Two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray stated 2024 may very well be his ultimate yr earlier than retirement after sickness and damage hampered his preparation for the brand new season. Murray’s yr will start on the Brisbane Worldwide as he builds up for the Australian Open later in January. The 36-year-old is ranked 42nd on the planet after a irritating finish to 2023, when he gained only one match in his final 4 tournaments. Murray has beforehand battled again from what appeared impending retirement after present process hip surgical procedure in 2018.
However he conceded that he’ll deliver down the curtain on his profession if the following 12 months comply with the identical sample as 2023.
“If I used to be in a state of affairs like I used to be on the finish of final yr, then I in all probability would not go once more,” Murray informed the BBC.
“However then if bodily I am doing effectively and my outcomes are good and I am enjoying effectively, then that is gratifying and I might see myself nonetheless enjoying.
“We’ll see how the yr goes, see how the physique holds up. If issues are going effectively, I would like to preserve going. But when they don’t seem to be, and I am not having fun with it, it may very well be the final yr, sure.”
Murray, who gained Wimbledon in 2013 and 2016 and in addition took the US Open title in 2012, is a part of a golden era coming in direction of the tip of trophy-laden careers.
Roger Federer retired in 2022 and Rafael Nadal had an injury-blighted 2023, though the Spaniard has advised he may attempt to play on past 2024.
At 36 Novak Djokovic continues to be hoping so as to add to his file 24 Grand Slam titles earlier than hanging up his racket.
Murray revealed the psychological battle with falling down the rankings after so a few years on the prime was taking its toll.
“When you’ve got performed proper on the highest degree, it is not that straightforward if you end up going by way of durations the place you’re shedding in first rounds, and perhaps shedding matches that you just in all probability ought to have gained,” he added.
“On the similar time, a few years in the past if somebody had supplied me that I would been enjoying at top-40 degree on the planet once I had been fighting my hip, I’d have been proud of that.
“However it’s onerous, mentally, so I must do a greater job of placing issues in perspective this yr and be just a little bit simpler on myself.”
Murray faces second seed Grigor Dimitrov within the first spherical in Brisbane on Monday.
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