British tennis star Andy Murray has hinted he could retire this season.
Speaking in Dubai after his 500th win on hardcourt, Murray said: “I still love competing, I still love the game. It gets harder and harder the older you get to compete with the young guys.
“It’s not easy, I probably don’t have too long left but I’ll do the best that I can these last few months.”
The 36-year-old former world number one made the remarks after beating Denis Shapovalov in the first round of the Dubai Open – his second win of the year.
Only four players – Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Andre Agassi and Rafael Nadal – have recorded more hardcourt wins.
Hinting again at the end of his career, Murray said: “Obviously hardcourt has been a great surface for me over the years and 500 is a lot of matches so I’m very proud of that.
“There aren’t many players that have done that, so, great to get to 500 before I’m done.”
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Earlier in February, Murray lost a second round match against 18-year-old Jakub Mensik, and appeared to shout “this game is not for me anymore”.
Downplaying the remark, he said on Monday that “people read a lot into what I say on the court sometimes and it’s not always rational”.
Murray also vowed “I won’t quit” last month after he dropped out of the first round at both the Brisbane International and Australian Open.
Speaking on X after questions were asked about if he would retire, Murray said: “Tarnishing my legacy? Do me a favour.
“I’m in a terrible moment right now I’ll give you that. Most people would quit and give up in my situation right now. But I’m not most people and my mind works differently.
“I won’t quit. I will keep fighting and working to produce the performances I know I’m capable of.”
It’s not the first time the two-time Wimbledon winner has hinted at retirement however, as he announced plans in 2019 to call it a career after undergoing hip surgery the year before.
He underwent a second operation on his hip the same year and returned to the court, but said in December 2022 that he was one “big injury” away from retirement.
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