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Greg Evans
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The British tennis Andy Murray has tearfully announced today that he hopes to retire at this years Wimbledon tournament but fears that next week's Australian Open might be his final competition.
The 31-year-old Scot has been suffering from a "severely damaged right hip" which has resulted in him making this decision, with the original plan to bow out at Wimbledon in the summer.
Speaking to the press on Friday morning, the three-time Grand Slam winner and double Olympic gold medallist said:
In my training block in December I spoke to my team and told them: ‘I cannot keep doing this’. I needed to have an end point because I was playing with no idea when the pain was going to stop. I felt like making that decision.
ÂI said to my team: ‘Look, I think I can get through this until Wimbledon.’ That’s where I would like to stop playing, but I am not certain I am able to do that.
Reaction to this news soon began to filter onto Twitter where his fellow tennis pros paid tribute to him and wished him all the best for the future.
My thoughts are with @andy_murray and I really hope we continue to see you fighting on court so you can retire on y… https://t.co/I8VS81lfwT— Kevin Anderson (@Kevin Anderson) 1547181224
Journalists, presenters and politicians also offered their tributes and thanks and praise for the star.
Always sad when a sporting career comes to an end. Sadder still when it’s one of the greatest sportsmen that these… https://t.co/Jjla6r6Zwc— Gary Lineker 💙 (@Gary Lineker 💙) 1547205958
Andy Murray is a legend - without doubt one of Scotland’s greatest ever sportsmen, as well as an outstanding role m… https://t.co/zWgEnZVaFR— Nicola Sturgeon (@Nicola Sturgeon) 1547195140
Others have pointed out how humane and relatable he came across as a person and during interviews.
For me, Andy Murray the boy then the man has always far outshone Andy Murray the Tennis Player - & he ranks amongst… https://t.co/M5TcuXsfph— Brogan Rogan Trevino (@Brogan Rogan Trevino) 1547195695
One particular moment from Murray's career where he called out casual sexism, something that he had done throughout his career, also started to be shared again.

If someone could pop together all of the times Andy Murray has been a feminist icon that would be wonderful. In the… https://t.co/6Gu6k0OZx4— Davina Kesby-Beck (@Davina Kesby-Beck) 1547201626
He's also been a strong advocate for mental health awareness.
Apart from anything else, Andy Murray's tears are such an important reminder of his brilliant work as a mental heal… https://t.co/JKjvjsXpHy— Tom Freeman (@Tom Freeman) 1547201712
People think that he'd suit a career in politics.
*whispers* Andy Murray should go into politics. He'd be really good.— David Whitley (@David Whitley) 1547200652
Tennis wasn't the only sport that he was good at.
That time Andy Murray put Clarence Seedorf to shame with his keepy-uppies at Wimbledon 👌 https://t.co/66BUCyg2Mw— Match of the Day (@Match of the Day) 1547193323
Let's not forget what is arguably his greatest ever moment.
Thanks for all the memories, Andy. We wish you all the best in your retirement.
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