Tennis

Andy Murray, the former world number one and three-time Grand Slam champion, has bid farewell to competitive tennis at the Paris Olympics. The 37-year-old Scot, who has been battling injuries in recent years, announced that the Olympics would be his final event.Murray's retirement marks the end of an era in tennis, as he joins Roger Federer in stepping away from the sport. The "Big Four" of Murray, Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic have dominated men's tennis for over a decade, winning a combined 69 Grand Slams.Murray's career highlights include two Wimbledon titles (2013, 2016), a US Open title (2012), and two Olympic gold medals (2012, 2016). He also led Great Britain to the Davis Cup title in 2015.Despite his success, Murray has been plagued by injuries in recent years. He underwent hip surgery in 2019 and has since struggled to regain his former form. He has also suffered from ankle and spinal injuries."It's hard because I would love to keep playing, but I can't," Murray said. "Physically it is too tough now, all of the injuries, they have added up and they haven't been insignificant."Murray's retirement leaves Djokovic as the only active member of the "Big Four." The Serb has won a record 24 Grand Slams and is still going strong at the age of 37.However, the future of men's tennis is already in sight. Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and other young players are emerging as the next generation of stars.Murray's legacy will be as one of the greatest British tennis players of all time. He inspired a generation of young players and helped to raise the profile of the sport in his home country.

Andy Murray, the legendary British tennis star, has bid farewell to the sport after a remarkable career that spanned two decades. His final match, a doubles loss alongside Dan Evans at the 2024 Paris Olympics, marked the end of an era for British tennis.Murray's journey was marked by unwavering determination and a fighting spirit that inspired countless fans. "I don't play in any tournaments to come second best," he once declared, reflecting his relentless pursuit of victory. Despite facing setbacks and injuries, Murray's resilience shone through.Beyond his on-court achievements, Murray became an advocate for gender equality. His decision to appoint Amelie Mauresmo as his coach in 2014 sparked controversy, but Murray stood firm in his belief that women should be treated as equals in the sport. "If being a feminist is about fighting so that a woman is treated like a man, then yes, I suppose I have," he said.Murray's legacy extends beyond his trophies and accolades. He became a role model for young athletes, demonstrating the importance of perseverance and hard work. "I think that's called perseverance," he said, referring to the 3,493-day gap between his first entry into the ATP Top 10 and his ascent to world No. 1.As Murray steps away from the court, his impact on the sport will continue to be felt. His fighting spirit, advocacy for equality, and unwavering determination have left an indelible mark on tennis history.

Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, two tennis legends and longtime rivals, have shared a heartwarming exchange following Murray's announcement that the 2024 Paris Olympics will be his final tournament.Murray, 37, has had a remarkable career, winning two Olympic gold medals in singles, three Grand Slam titles, and reaching the world No. 1 ranking. Djokovic, 36, has also been a dominant force in the sport, with 24 Grand Slam titles to his name.Despite their competitive rivalry, Djokovic and Murray have maintained a close friendship over the years. Murray's recent Instagram post, which included a series of throwback photos and a playful caption, highlighted their bond."Rivals, doubles partners, friends and lovers?" Murray wrote, adding a kiss emoji. "Thanks for the 25 years of competition (Novak), and good luck for the rest of your career."Djokovic responded with a tribute to Murray's "amazing" and "legendary" career, while playfully declining the "lover" label."Andy, I loved playing against you, playing doubles together and sharing some great memories as friends," Djokovic wrote. "I will 'pass' on being lover. I hope you understand."Murray's retirement announcement has sparked an outpouring of tributes from the tennis world. He continues to inspire on the Olympic stage, having saved multiple match points in men's doubles with partner Daniel Evans.Djokovic, meanwhile, has advanced to the third round of the Olympics after defeating Rafael Nadal in a highly anticipated match. With Murray set to retire and Nadal nearing his own farewell, the match was seen as a symbolic end to the "Big 4" era in tennis.As the Olympics draw to a close, the tennis world will bid farewell to one of its greatest players. Murray's legacy will undoubtedly be remembered for his exceptional talent, unwavering determination, and the friendships he has forged along the way.

Two-time Olympic gold medalist Andy Murray has announced that he will not compete in the singles competition at the upcoming Paris Games, prioritizing the doubles event instead. This decision marks the final tournament of his illustrious career before retirement.Murray, 37, underwent surgery to remove a spinal cyst in late June, which forced him to skip the singles at Wimbledon this month. Despite initially entering both singles and doubles in Paris alongside Dan Evans, he has opted to focus solely on the doubles event."I've taken the decision to withdraw from the singles to concentrate on the doubles with Dan," Murray said in a statement. "Our practice has been great and we're playing well together. Really looking forward to getting started and representing Britain one more time."Murray's decision stems from his desire to maximize his chances of success in the doubles event. He has a proven track record in doubles, having won the mixed doubles silver medal at the London Olympics in 2012 alongside Laura Robson.The Scot's retirement announcement in June sent shockwaves through the tennis world. He has been a dominant force in the sport for over a decade, winning three Grand Slam titles and reaching the world number one ranking. However, persistent injuries have taken their toll, leading to his decision to step away from the game.Murray's legacy as one of the greatest British tennis players of all time is secure. His Olympic gold medals in 2012 and 2016, as well as his Wimbledon title in 2013, will forever be etched in the annals of sporting history.

Ash Barty, the former world No. 1 and three-time Grand Slam singles champion, has no plans to return to competitive tennis despite her impressive performance in an exhibition doubles match at Wimbledon on Wednesday.Barty, who retired in March 2022 at the age of 25, played alongside Casey Dellacqua in a doubles match on Centre Court, three years to the day after she defeated Karolina Pliskova to win the Wimbledon title. The Australian duo defeated Andrea Petkovic and Magdalena Rybarikova in straight sets.After the match, Barty was asked by journalists if she had any thoughts of making a comeback. "You guys are killing me," she said with a laugh. "Anyone have a thesaurus for a word that I can use for 'no'?"Barty emphasized that she is content with her retirement and is enjoying her new life as a mother and commentator. "I've got a beautiful commentary box on both Centre and Court 1," she said. "You get a good view and are able to absorb what's happening out on the court. Hopefully people at home are enjoying what I’m having to say."The 28-year-old said she does not regret her decision to retire and is impressed by the dominance of current world No. 1 Iga Swiatek. "I really enjoy watching others do well," she said. "We have seen Iga dominate for the most part of the last two and a half years. She’s been incredible the way she has composure, has gone on incredible runs, winning matches and really dominating, which is hard to do. It’s been really impressive watching from afar.”Barty's return to Wimbledon sparked speculation about a potential comeback, but she quickly dismissed those rumors. "I love tennis. I love being here. I love being involved," she said. "Now, I just get to pick and choose in small doses, which is really nice.”

Andy Murray's Wimbledon participation remains uncertain following his recent back surgery. The 37-year-old underwent the procedure on Saturday after retiring from a match at Queen's Club due to an injury.Murray's team released a statement on Monday, indicating that the two-time Wimbledon champion is collaborating with his medical team to determine his return to the court. "No decisions have been made at this stage," the statement emphasized.Murray, who triumphed at Wimbledon in 2013 and 2016, has expressed his intention to retire later this year. During his match at Queen's Club, he retired while trailing Jordan Thompson 4-1, citing issues with his right leg.Despite receiving treatment on his surgically repaired right hip, right knee, and lower back, Murray was unable to continue. The first round of Wimbledon is scheduled to commence next Monday.Murray's participation in the tournament is now in doubt, as he continues to recover from his surgery. His team will provide updates as soon as any decisions are finalized.

Aryna Sabalenka's remarkable streak of never retiring from a WTA tour match came to an abrupt end in Berlin on Saturday. The No. 2 seed at the grass-court ecotrans Ladies Open was forced to withdraw from her quarterfinal match against Anna Kalinskaya due to a shoulder injury.Sabalenka, who has been battling through various physical and mental struggles in recent months, had played every single match she had entered since turning professional in 2014. Her unwavering determination and resilience had become a hallmark of her career, earning her the respect of both fans and opponents.However, the toll of the relentless grind of the WTA tour finally caught up with Sabalenka in Berlin. After losing the first five games of her match against Kalinskaya, she called it quits, citing a shoulder injury. The quarterfinal had been postponed from Friday due to rain, adding to the physical demands on the players.Sabalenka's retirement marked a significant moment in her career. It was the first time she had ever withdrawn from a match at WTA level, highlighting the severity of her injury and the challenges she has been facing.Earlier this month at Roland Garros, Sabalenka had battled through a stomach bug in a three-set quarterfinal loss to Mirra Andreeva. She had told reporters that she never considered retiring from that match, despite playing in visible distress.However, the events in Berlin came just days after Sabalenka announced that she would not compete at the Paris Olympics due to scheduling concerns and to prioritize her health. She alluded to "struggles" that have plagued her in recent months as a factor in her decision, but did not elaborate at the time."I feel I have to take care of my health," she said. "I prefer to have a little rest to make sure physically and health-wise I'm ready for the hard courts, and I'll have a good preparation before going to the hard court season. I feel that this is safer and better for my body."Sabalenka's withdrawal from the Berlin tournament is a reminder of the physical and mental demands that professional tennis players face. It also highlights the importance of prioritizing health and well-being, even when it means making difficult decisions.

Alizé Cornet, the former world No. 11, recently retired from professional tennis after a remarkable career that included four Olympic appearances. Despite falling short of qualifying for a fifth Olympics, Cornet had the honor of participating in the torch relay for the upcoming Paris 2024 Games in her hometown of Nice.Cornet's retirement announcement in April marked the end of an era for French tennis. With 69 consecutive Grand Slam appearances, she holds the record for the most consecutive Grand Slam appearances and is third overall with 72 appearances. Her unwavering national pride was evident throughout her career, as she represented France in four Olympics and 24 Billie Jean King Cup ties, contributing to the team's victory in 2019.While the French Olympic team has yet to be officially announced, several countries have unveiled their rosters. The United States will be led by reigning US Open champion Coco Gauff, while Italy will field world No. 1 Jannik Sinner in singles and doubles. The highly anticipated doubles pairing of Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal is expected to represent Spain.The 2024 Olympic Games will take place from July 26 to August 11 in Paris, with the tennis event scheduled for July 27 to August 4 on the clay courts of Roland Garros. Cornet's participation in the torch relay serves as a fitting tribute to her legacy and the spirit of the Olympic Games.

Danielle Collins' Roland Garros journey came to an end in the second round as she fell to Olga Danilovic in a thrilling three-set battle. The American, who announced her retirement plans earlier this year, had been a dark horse contender for the title after a strong clay-court season.Collins, seeded 11th, started the match strongly, taking the first set in a tiebreaker. However, Danilovic, a Serbian qualifier, fought back to win the second set 7-5. The third set was a tense affair, with Collins serving for the match at 5-3. But Danilovic broke her serve and won six straight games to secure the victory.The match lasted over two hours and 35 minutes, and Collins called a medical timeout in the third set to address a possible neck or shoulder injury. Danilovic, a talented left-hander, has struggled with injuries and inconsistencies in the past but is now enjoying a resurgence in her career.Collins' retirement plans have been met with surprise and disappointment from fans and fellow players. However, the American remains firm in her decision, citing her desire to start a family and advocate for those who share her well-documented health struggles.Despite her retirement announcement, Collins has continued to play at a high level this season, winning titles in Miami and Charleston. She also reached the final in Strasbourg last week. Her impressive form has led to calls for her to reconsider retirement, but Collins has held firm.Danilovic's victory over Collins is one of the biggest of her career. She will now face Donna Vekic in the third round, with a chance to reach the second week of a Grand Slam for the first time.