Andy Murray’s professional competitive career has come to an end at the 2024 Paris Olympics after a legendary run with doubles partner Daniel Evans. The two men representing Great Britain have kept hopes alive for one last magical run in the sport that has given Murray his biggest win yet by saving match points in their last two matches.

The 37-year-old, a two-time gold medallist, was hoping to add another gold in doubles this time. He and Evans played some inspiring tennis, coming from behind in two thrilling three-set matches in the rounds of 32 and 16. But they were unlucky in the quarter-finals against Americans Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul, losing in two sets 6-2, 6-4.

Yet the Great Scot put his feelings on display on the clay courts of Roland Garros, inspiring tennis fans to continue supporting the passionate player.

“I’ve known for the last few months that this moment would come,” Murray said after the doubles defeat. New York Post“If it wasn’t today, it would have been in a few days and I was ready for it. Obviously I was emotional because it was the last time I would play a competitive match. But I’m really happy right now. I’m happy with the way it ended.”

Murray is a three-time Grand Slam champion and former world No. 1. But it is his title as a two-time Olympic gold medalist that gives the Scottish professional an edge over his great rivals Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. Murray is the only tennis player to have won two singles gold medals.

She won gold at the London Games in 2012, then followed that up with an unprecedented repeat at the Rio Games in 2016. Only Serena and Venus Williams have more gold medals in tennis.

Murray said the only way to officially announce his retirement was to:

Of course, there were plenty of tributes, including from his great rival Federer, whom he beat at the 2012 London Games to avenge his defeat to the Swiss at Wimbledon a month earlier. Both matches were played at SW19.

Nadal, who is also likely considering retirement, heaped praise on Murray.

Support also came from Djokovic, who is making it to the Olympic final for the first time in his career.

Murray tweeted that he had given up the microphone and sent a heartfelt thank you to his fans.

Murray won his first Grand Slam title against Djokovic in a five-set thriller at the 2012 US Open. In 2013, the Glasgow native became the first Briton to win Wimbledon in almost 80 years. It was no easy task to face Djokovic in the final again, winning in three sets. He repeated the feat three years later in 2016, this time against Canada’s Milos Raonic, again in three sets.

But 2016 was a remarkable year for Murray, who has won three major titles. Murray reached his peak in tennis with a world No. 1 ranking, a Masters 1,000 title, an Olympic singles gold, a second Wimbledon title and an ATP Finals title. No other tennis player has achieved all of this in one year.

But the success of 2016 also took its toll on Murray’s physicality, beginning a series of injuries from which he would never recover.

Perhaps the period where Murray suffered the most during the Golden Age of Tennis was when he was forced to face some of the best players the sport has ever seen: Federer, Nadal and Djokovic (I think you’d have to include Rod Laver for it to be a real list). That Murray has achieved so much in that time is a testament to his determination. His iconic back-to-back singles golds put him in a category all his own.

Wimbledon has held a tribute to the Scottish athlete, who was a source of great pride for England. They had already held a celebration for Murray at this year’s tournament.

What’s next for philanthropist Sir Andy Murray? According to his wife, she’d be happy to have him at home because “he needs help with the kids”. They have four children.

The All England Lawn and Tennis Club will also dedicate Centre Court in Sir Andy’s honour.