Jimmy Connors is one of tennis’ most iconic names, with his rivalries with John McEnroe, Ivan Lendl and Bjorn Borg the stuff of legends.
He grew up in a devastatingly competitive period of the sport, and did supremely well to come out as decorated as he did.
And thus, he likely has plenty of sympathy for Andy Murray, who endured a similar hardship to him, albeit on a much grander scale.
Jimmy Connors tells Andy Murray what he must do after retirement
Speaking on his podcast, Advantage Connors, the legendary American tennis star combed over a wealth of current topics regarding the sport to which he gave his all too.
Having finished a glittering career with eight Grand Slam titles to his name, Jimmy Connors knows a thing or two about being a champion.
So, when he provides a glowing recommendation of Murray, despite the Scotsman only amassing three Grand Slam triumphs, people should listen.
He spoke about his impending retirement by noting: ‘You want to go out on top but he’s not leaving one ball in his pocket, so to speak, he’s playing singles, doubles and mixed. He is going to get it all out of his system in one event which might not be a bad thing. Then you can walk away and say don’t have one what if. When you walk away, walk and keep walking because you have done your thing.
‘The success he has had, and I’m going to backtrack and say he played in an era where he played with Rafa and Djoker and Federer. That’s like playing in an era with me and Mac and Bjorg and Lendl and to come out and have the success that he has had, two gold medals and three grand slams. Pretty impressive!
‘It’s hard to admit when you get to a certain age that I can’t do it any more, that I can’t compete, the kids are too young and it’s too painful. But when he walks away he can walk away with his head high.’
Andy Murray will surely retire content with his career
Even if it might not be as trophy-laden as he would have wanted, surely Murray will retire content with what he achieved.
After all, context is always important, but in this particular case, it is crucial.
The 37-year-old was born into a generation blessed with three of the best tennis players the world has ever and will ever see, and thus their monopoly over the sport was inevitable.
So, for Murray to have won three Grand Slam titles during that era whilst also reaching plenty of finals, even holding the world number one spot for some time as well, deserves huge praise.
Not only that, but in defending his Olympic gold singles medal, he remains the only male to ever achieve such a feat. Not even the Big Three can take that away from him.
Regardless of the fact that they have won far more than he did, Murray’s legacy within tennis remains alongside theirs purely for competing as fiercely as he did.
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