Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Andy Murray to retire after Olympics – 10 standout matches from his career

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Andy Murray has announced he will retire at the age of 37 following the Paris Olympics.

The Scot can look back on a career full of highlights, including three grand slam titles and two Olympic gold medals so far.

Here, the PA news agency picks out 10 of Murray’s most memorable matches.

2008, Wimbledon, fourth round – beat Richard Gasquet 5-7 3-6 7-6 (7-3) 6-2 6-4

Andy Murray celebrates during his comeback win against Richard Gasquet (Sean Dempsey/PA)

The match that established Murray’s reputation for never giving up. The 21-year-old was two sets and a break down before recovering to reach the quarter-finals of a grand slam for the first time. The backhand down the line during the third-set tie-break that left him almost in the crowd is arguably his most memorable shot.

2012, Olympic Games, gold medal match – beat Roger Federer 6-2 6-1 6-4

Andy Murray with his gold medal after beating Roger Federer
Murray with his gold medal after beating Roger Federer (Andrew Milligan/PA)

Four weeks after his heartbreaking Wimbledon final loss to Federer, Murray played arguably the greatest match of his career to claim his first global title. Admittedly he was facing a tired Federer but this was complete domination in front of a raucous and disbelieving Centre Court crowd.

2012, US Open, final – beat Novak Djokovic 7-6 (12-10) 7-5 2-6 3-6 6-2

In his fifth final, Murray finally won a grand slam title in fittingly dramatic fashion. It looked like he might have blown his chance when Djokovic fought back from two sets down to level but the Scot was not to be denied.

2013, Australian Open, semi-final – beat Federer 6-4 6-7 (5/7) 6-3 6-7 (2/7) 6-2

Going for a second successive slam title, Murray secured his only slam victory over Federer. Although it took five sets, the Swiss was hanging on to Murray with his fingernails for most of the match and was helpless in the fifth set.

2013, Wimbledon, final – beat Djokovic 6-4 7-5 6-4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lww-hJ4LdTo

The most important match of Murray’s career was a fitting way for the Scot to end Fred Perry’s 77-year reign as the last home men’s singles winner. Superb throughout, the final game was a match in itself before Murray at last got his hands on the golden trophy.

2015, Davis Cup, final – beat David Goffin 6-3 7-5 6-3

Andy Murray is held aloft by team-mates as they celebrate winning the Davis Cup
Murray is held aloft by team-mates as they celebrate winning the Davis Cup (Andrew Milligan/PA)

Of all Murray’s many wonderful achievements, winning the Davis Cup for Great Britain virtually single-handed in 2015 might well be the best of them. It was fitting he should win the final point against Belgium in Ghent, sealed with a stunning lob.

2016, French Open, semi-final – beat Stan Wawrinka 6-4 6-2 4-6 6-2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3Vdoax_TWA

The match that showed Murray had conquered clay as he knocked out the defending champion to reach his only final at Roland Garros.

2016, Wimbledon, final – beat Milos Raonic 6-4 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (7-2)

Andy Murray holds the Wimbledon trophy for the second time
Murray holds the Wimbledon trophy for the second time (Adam Davy/PA)

For the first time in his 11 slam finals, Murray found someone other than Federer or Djokovic on the other side of the net. From the start, he stamped his authority on first-time finalist Raonic and did not let up.

2016, Olympic Games, gold medal match – beat Juan Martin del Potro 7-5 4-6 6-2 7-5

Andy Murray (right) beat Juan Martin del Potro in an epic Olympic final
Murray, right, beat Juan Martin del Potro in an epic Olympic final (Owen Humphreys/PA)

This gruelling, emotional victory in Rio gave Murray something none of his illustrious rivals have managed as he became the first tennis player to successfully defend an Olympic singles title.

2023, Australian Open, second round – beat Thanasi Kokkinakis 4-6 6-7 (7) 7-6 (5) 6-3 7-5

Three years spent largely sidelined through hip problems did not dent Murray’s belief that he could contend for the big tournaments. This was only a second-round match but it summed up everything that made the Scot great as he played the longest match of his career, five hours and 45 minutes, finishing at past 4am and battling back from a seemingly hopeless position.

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