This morning (in Europe) tennis nerds woke up to the sad news that Andy Murray will retire in 2019. The hip problems that have bothered him for a long time causes too much pain for him to keep playing. That is why he will try to end his career in Wimbledon 2019, but he is not sure he will make it there.
It was a very upset Andy Murray that called to a press conference in Melbourne. He could not fight back the tears as he explained to an army of reporters that the hip injury that prevented him from playing tennis through most of 2018 is now ending his career. The pain is simply too great and he can’t see himself coming back to the level he wants to play tennis at. That is why he aims to leave the tour at Wimbledon 2019, but he is not sure he will make it there and said that Australian Open might be his last grand slam as a player.
This is of course very sad news to the tennis world, but it did not come as a shock. A hip injury is a serious thing and extremely difficult to come back from as a professional athlete. It has also been obvious when you have watched Andy Murray back from his injury, that he hasn’t been back at a hundred percent. His movement between points has perhaps been the most visible sign that something is not right.
The start to Andy Murray’s press conference was very emotional ? pic.twitter.com/hObwoj71uo
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 11, 2019
Andy Murray will retire in 2019 – Fellow pro’s console on social media
Andy Murray will be deeply missed on the ATP tour and his fellow professionals were not slow to express their emotions when they heard the news that Andy Murray will retire in 2019:
Tennis will come to an end for us all but the friendships will last a lifetime. What you’ve done for the sport will live on forever. I’m hoping for a strong and healthy finish for you, my friend! @andy_murray pic.twitter.com/Bcs0cdllJp
— Grigor Dimitrov (@GrigorDimitrov) January 11, 2019
A wonderful message to Andy Murray from @NickKyrgios ?
(via Instagram) pic.twitter.com/JbbdJoHoJz
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 11, 2019
Andy, just watched your conference. Please don’t stop trying. Keep fighting. I can imagine your pain and sadness. I hope you can overcome this. You deserve to retire on your own terms, whenever that happens. We love you @andy_murray and we want to see you happy and doing well. ?
— Juan M. del Potro (@delpotrojuan) January 11, 2019
Let’s hope Andy finds a way to fight through this and if not, we will for always remember this hero on the tennis court, who never ever gave up on a single point. An inspiration for generations to come.
3 comments
Never my favourite player but one I had the utmost respect for in terms of what he achieved and did for the game, particularly in defending the women and their rights etc. I started a thread on this on another website last week saying I thought he should & would retire, if more than anything so he could spend the time best with his kids as they grow up. Being in my 40s myself and a new father, there’ nothing I would hate more than not being able to run around & play with my daughter.
Well done Andy, best to bow out with head held high than risk further problems which may not be able to be put right.
Oh damn hips,
Kuerten, Norman, Nalbandian… Murray
I know from personal experience the problems tennis can give to dodgy hips so when I saw him limping at Wimbledon 2017 I knew what he was going through. It’s difficult enough to recover to play at club level let alone at his standard.
He’s had an amazing career and will no doubt have many good years on the coaching circuit/in the tv studios. Never gifted in the way Federer is, his whole game is based on retrieving and recovery, not the best type of game to play when you’re not 100% fit.