Andy Murray hints that retirement may be close if injury woes continue - 'It could be the last year'
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Published 31/12/2023 at 12:37 GMT
Andy Murray has had to overcome plenty of injury struggles and illness as he prepares to begin the Brisbane Open with a match against Grigor Dimitrov on New Year's Day. The former world No. 1 spoke about his struggles in detail, and admits it may be time to call it a day if his injury woes continue. However, he is still holding out hope of competing in the latter stages of a Grand Slam again.
'I miss playing Novak and Rafa' - Murray yearns for top-level battles
Video credit: SNTV
Andy Murray has hinted that retirement may be around the corner after a sobering end to last season as he prepares to mark his 20th season on the ATP Tour on New Year's Day.
The 36-year-old faces Grigor Dimitrov in his first match at the Brisbane International on Monday, and admits that recent results - he won only two matches in his last five events - have taken their toll.
"If I was in a situation like I was at the end of last year, then I probably wouldn't go again," said Murray in an interview with BBC Sport.
"But then if physically I'm doing well and my results are good and I'm playing well, then that's enjoyable and I could see myself still playing.
"We'll see how the year goes, see how the body holds up. If things are going well, I'd love to keep going. But if they're not, and I'm not enjoying it, it could be the last year, yes."
Murray - who suffered a tie-break defeat to Aslan Karatsev and Roman Safiullin with Holger Rune in doubles at the Brisbane International on Sunday - has spent time in Dubai for some pre-season warm weather training, and has been able to play a few practice sets with Rafael Nadal in Brisbane.
The Scot admits that injury problems and illness have taken their toll on his preparations, but believes he is now at the right level to compete.
"I had the shoulder injury before Davis Cup [in November] so I wasn't able to serve for a few weeks, and then there's obviously a gradual build-up to being able to serve full out," he explained.
"And also I got quite sick literally just as I was leaving to go to Dubai, so that made things a bit tricky - and I had a bruised meniscus in my knee which also restricted me from doing certain things.
"I was able to still practise and do lots of training but it's just there was certain stuff I wasn't able to do - like playing points and full-out sprinting and changes of direction.
"So, it's not been that straightforward but the last 10 days or so I've managed to get more of that in. There are signs in practice that my level is good enough."
Murray is now relishing the prospect of facing the likes of Nadal and Novak Djokovic again at the Australian Open, but would prefer to play such big names deeper in the tournament.
"Obviously I would like the opportunity to play against them again, ideally in the latter stages of big tournaments," he explained.
"I've missed that feeling and not had that opportunity really. I can't remember the last time I played them, to be honest.
"Ideally I would want to be doing that in the tournaments, and not in the first rounds. I'd like to be doing it in the latter stages if I can."
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