Andy Murray is preparing to wave goodbye to a tennis court as a professional player for the final time at the Olympics.
A two-time Olympic gold medalist, Murray has announced today that the Paris games will be his swansong tournament.
Murray will take part at Roland Garros but it has to be said that his hopes of winning a medal this time around do feel slim.
He’s struggled with injuries this year and was forced to withdraw from the singles draw at Wimbledon after needing surgery on a spinal cyst.
Now, ahead of the tournament, Paula Radcliffe has been asked about Murray and his pending retirement and she’s delivered a glowing reference on the Great British icon.
What Paula Radcliffe said about Andy Murray
It’s somewhat saddening that Murray is unlikely to go out in similar fashion to Rafael Nadal after reaching the latter end of tournaments.
Murray’s injuries have left him unable to compete to the best of his ability and it will be a slog for him at the Olympics.
Still, it will be good to see him back out on the court for one final time and Radcliffe believes he will leave a legacy behind him.
The former Marathon runner told Sky Sports News: “Yes, we’ve crossed paths a number of times over the years at the Olympics and at Wimbledon for me as a fan. I think he leaves a huge legacy behind, like any sportsperson but I think Andy has epitomised that more than most.
“He clearly loves what he’s doing and he’s pushed the boundaries of his physical limits as far as he possibly could.
“He’s absolutely earned the right to finish his competitive career where he wants to do that and I think it’s extremely fitting that he gets to do that at the Olympics because those Olympics in 2012 really were a huge, huge turning point for him and he’s a tennis player who has wholeheartedly backed the Olympics and I think he gets to sign out when he chooses.”
Murray will aim to cause a stir at Olympics
This is about the best that Murray can hope for and in his own heart he will know that winning a medal just isn’t possible.
Some of the world’s best players will embark on Paris and that will make life tough for Murray to take anything from the tournament.
However, this isn’t about winning to a certain extent. It’s about Murray going out on his own terms when he’s ready and now when injury takes the decision out of his hands.
The 37-year-old has known that the end is night for a little while now and all he can do is do what he’s built his career on and give everything that he’s got for one last time.
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