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0 A dejected Andy Murray has hinted that 2024 may have been his last Australian Open, after he was completely outclassed in a 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 loss to the 30th seed, Tomas Martin Etcheverry.
The veteran Scot admitted it was a “bizarre feeling on the court today”, post his straight-sets demolition, before suggesting he may not return Down Under in 2025.
The 36-year-old made a remarkable recovery from a debilitating hip injury with hopes of going all the way in Melbourne this summer, but it wasn’t to be, with questions now raised over his next career steps.
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“There’s definite possibility that will be the last time I play here,” Murray said in his post match press conference.
“Tough, tough way to finish.”
As he reflected on his loss, Murray lamented not taking in the Melbourne Park atmosphere more during what could have been his last match.
“Probably because of how the match went, whilst you’re playing the match, you’re trying to control your emotions,” he said.
“(But) when you’re one point away, you’re like ‘I can’t believe this is over so quickly’.
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“I wish I involved the crowd more … (I was) disappointed in the way I played,” Murray said.
Despite having back surgery early in his career and having a plethora of other injuries, the three-time grand slam champion says this is the first time he is struggling to get his spark back on court.
“For me, this time, it’s (my spark) never really come back,” he said.
“It’s difficult when you’ve played at the top of the game to change your perspective of how you should be performing. It’s difficult when you come back and you’re not at that same level.
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“I’ll be telling myself at some stage it will (come back), but when you have results like I did today … it’s tough to keep believing in that.”
When quizzed further on a possible retirement in the near future, Murray admitted he has already had discussions with those closest to him.
“I have an idea of when I would probably like to finish playing, but so much of that depends on how you’re playing,” the veteran said.
“I’ve spoken to my family … my team about it. They’re very aware of how I feel about things and where I’d like to finish playing and when that would be.
“The timeframe for that narrows when you … have results like I had today.
“The nature of the performance makes you question things. I haven’t gained belief … that I’m going to start playing well again.”
Even with talks underway, Murray insisted that no formal plans have been put in place to see him out of the game.
“I haven’t made any definite decisions on that. It’s obviously something I need to think about and see exactly when that is,” Murray said.
