Murray has opted out of the Olympic singles competition but will participate in the doubles

Andy Murray has decided to withdraw from the singles competition at the Olympics but will compete in doubles in Paris, marking the final event of his illustrious career. The three-time Grand Slam champion confirmed that the Tokyo Games will be his last, ending a singles journey that saw its final match against Jordan Thompson at Queen’s in June, cut short by a back injury.

This injury also forced Murray to withdraw from the singles at Wimbledon, although he did manage to play his final doubles match at the historic venue where he clinched two of his major titles. In Paris, Murray will team up with Dan Evans, with their first-round opponents being Japan’s Taro Daniel and Kei Nishikori.

Reflecting on his decision, Murray expressed mixed emotions, stating, “The Olympics has been incredibly special for me and there have been some amazing memories on the court – particularly in London. I’m happy I get to do this one more time. It’s unfortunate [not playing in singles] – I trained to get ready to play both, but I’m getting a bit older now so it gets harder to recover from injuries. I ran out of time.”

The Olympic draw has also set the stage for potential match-ups such as Rafael Nadal against long-time rival Novak Djokovic, should both progress beyond their initial rounds. The Olympic tennis tournament will take place at Roland Garros from July 27 to August 4.

Murray, a two-time singles gold medallist in 2012 and 2016, became the first male tennis player to achieve this feat. He also secured a mixed doubles silver with Laura Robson in 2012. His remarkable singles career, which includes victories at the 2012 US Open and memorable Wimbledon triumphs in 2013 and 2016, concludes with 46 ATP Tour titles, including 14 Masters 1000 events.

Speaking candidly about his retirement decision, Murray shared with the BBC, “Paris is the right time for me to retire, having struggled with injuries over the past few years.” Despite ongoing back issues, Murray remains focused on his Olympic campaign alongside Evans, emphasizing their commitment to pursuing a medal.

As Murray prepares to bid farewell to competitive singles tennis, his legacy as a resilient and accomplished athlete continues to inspire fans and fellow players alike. His journey from a promising young talent to a seasoned champion underscores his enduring impact on the sport.