Andy Murray bid an emotional farewell to his tennis career after Olympic doubles defeat.
Moving scenes unfolded in Paris as the night entered and Andy Murray exited for the final time.
American duo’s have taken up the role of the party-poopers this week having now dumped out both Rafael Nadal and Murray, cutting short their farewell tour.
Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul have known each other since they were teenagers and certainly looked to be singing from the same hymn sheet on Thursday night.
Despite saving yet another match point and administering a small fightback, Murray and his partner Dan Evans just didn’t have enough left, losing 6-2, 6-4.
Taylor Fritz reveals how it felt to bring an end to Andy Murray’s career
Taylor Fritz previously attempted to sum up Murray’s career, with the American having always admired the plucky and clearly very popular Brit.
Speaking after the win, he reflected on the bitter-sweet victory in quotes reported by NBC Philadelphia.
“We were pumped up to win,” he said, “but it is sad, I guess, to see it end for Andy. He’s someone that both of us have looked up to for a very long time. He’s a great guy.
“I don’t take a lot of pride in doing it, but we’re here to win a medal.”
With Carlos Alcaraz sending a heartwarming retirement message to Murray, the tennis world is both grieving and appreciating the loss of a real giant.
Can Team USA sweep up the gold and silver in the Olympic men’s doubles
It’s been a completely mixed week for Team USA’s tennis team, with all their medal hopefuls in the singles having been prematurely dumped out.
Coco Gauff was controversially beaten by Donna Vekic, before Emma Navarro and Danielle Collins had both their journeys ended.
After Paul and Fritz were both pipped in the singles quarter-finals, the pair are through to the semi-finals of the doubles with Aussie duo Matthew Ebden and John Peers their next task.
With doubles specialists Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek waiting in the final, there is at least one guaranteed medal for Team USA.
The main question that remains is whether they can secure a one-two finish in the doubles and revamp some much needed optimism in the USA tennis camp.
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