On an emotional night at Centre Court, Andy Murray bid farewell to Wimbledon.
The curtain is coming down on the most distinguished of careers, but it has not fully descended.
For a man who has made a living out of defying logic in sporting and physical senses, there may be more closing chapters to write before a professional fairytale is finished.
Grand Slam titles are no longer falling within reach for a knight of the realm, but that is not to say he does not have targets.
Champion
.@andy_murray wins #gold in men's singles for the 2nd consecutive #Olympics! @delpotrojuan takes #silver #tennis pic.twitter.com/WKX001EyaI
— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) August 15, 2016
The Olympic Games are heading to Paris in 2024 and Murray – who filled the role of flag bearer in 2016 – will once again form part of Team GB.
Despite being a two-time champion in the singles of that event, the Scot is a hefty 400/1 in tennis betting to complete a hat-trick of gold medal triumphs in the French capital.
Fellow members of his golden generation – Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal – earn more favour in tennis tips and are considerably shorter priced when it comes to bids for a top spot on a notable podium.
Murray, though, has never been one to back down from a challenge.
He never knows when he is beaten and will believe, despite the odds being stacked against him, that more memories to last a lifetime can be made.
That may not happen when taking to the court by himself, with it a big ask to compete with the very best in the business as a racket prepares to be zipped up for the final time.
Murray is, however, entered into the doubles alongside fellow 2015 Davis Cup winner Dan Evans.
The three-time major champion has said of bowing out at the very top of his profession: “Probably if I was going to finish my career I would rather finish at Wimbledon or an Olympic Games – to me that would probably be more fitting. I’ve had amazing experiences from Wimbledon, but also being part of British Olympics teams.”
Murray has the chance to sign off on his own terms, while looking to add another entry to his glittering CV.
Alongside the golds that he has claimed in London and Rio de Janeiro, a silver medal was also collected when partnering Laura Robson in 2012.
He has enjoyed tangible success in the singles and mixed doubles, so why not complete the set in 2024?
Style
Ready to battle it out at @Paris2024 ??
— LTA (@the_LTA) July 1, 2024
Your doubles line-ups are confirmed for @TeamGB #BackTheBrits ?? pic.twitter.com/iIxVoSTyTf
A doubles medal would ensure that Murray has triumphed in every category available to him.
He could also make peace with missing out on a final berth if that meant a third-placed finish and an opportunity to pick up bronze – the only colour of medal that is missing from his collection.
Murray will know that a sizeable slice of luck, which does not come off his strings, will be required in order to enjoy a dream ending.
He has history in that department, though, and it would come as a surprise to nobody if he were to sign off in style on the iconic red clay of Roland-Garros.
