Andy Murray announced Thursday that he is retiring from Olympic men’s singles competition and will focus on doubles with Dan Evans.
Murray, 37, an Olympic gold medallist in 2012 and 2016, had announced his retirement after the French Open in Paris. The men’s and women’s tournaments begin on Saturday, with the draw taking place on Thursday.
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“Obviously, Dan and I made a commitment to each other that [doubles] “That’s what we were going to prioritise,” Murray told Sky Sports this week. “It gives the team and us the best chance of getting a medal, realistically. My back is still not perfect and the potential of playing two games in one day is maybe not the best.”
Murray withdrew from the Wimbledon singles tournament last month and only played doubles with his brother, Jamie. He had a spinal cyst removed on June 22 and did not feel recovered enough to play in the singles tournament.
Over time, the cyst grew larger and affected his coordination and caused pain in his back and right leg. The pain prompted him to withdraw from the Queen’s Club grass tournament in London on June 19. The cyst was removed three days later.
Murray returned after hip resurfacing surgery in 2019 and four years later he feels the time has come to say goodbye.
“I didn’t have this feeling a few months ago when I thought it was time to stop,” he said. “I didn’t really want to, but now I do and I know it’s the right time for me.”