Andy Murray showed he still doesn’t take himself too seriously as the former two-time Wimbledon champ prepares to play on a professional tennis court for last time at Paris 2024
Andy Murray poked fun at himself by reposting a joke that he might’ve started to rust during Paris 2024’s rainy opening ceremony.
The Scot’s retirement has been one of the most talked-about stories of the Games since he announced that the Olympics would be his competitive farewell. Two-time Gold medalist Murray was in attendance at the wet and windy opening ceremony as the Team GB contingent cruised along the Seine to welcome in the Olympics.
The inclement weather led one fan to joke that the former Wimbledon and US Open champ would start to rust having entered his older years – a flippant jibe that Murray obligingly reposted.
A post on X that read: “If they leave Andy Murray out in the rain any longer he’ll start rusting,” clearly caught the former British No.1’s eye. He reposted it to Instagram following the ceremony, accepting the suggestion in jest that his olden frame may start rusting in the rain.
Even at 37, Murray clearly doesn’t take himself too seriously. His sense of humour remains well intact despite the saddening prospect of his retirement looming, and his recent withdrawal from the singles in Paris.
While laughing now, Murray has opened up previously about how daunting hanging up his racket may be. He spoke to Eurosport ahead of Paris, saying: “It’s going to be difficult. It’s a big change but I have a very young family at home and I’m really looking forward to being at home with them and spending time with them.
“I’ve had to answer a lot of questions about retirement in the last year so a lot of the players were probably expecting it. The majority have been positive about it and supportive. I’ll miss being around everyone at the tournaments and in the locker rooms but unfortunately that time’s come.”
Murray’s choice to leave the game he loves behind has not been made frivolously. The Briton’s injury troubles date back to 2017, his most notable issue being a hip resurfacing – a procedure that involves adding a metal cap to the ball in the hip and a metal strip in the pelvic socket.
“I’m sure all the tennis players would love to play for as long as they can but there comes a point when physically it’s becoming more difficult,” added Murray, whose decision to only play doubles in Paris stemmed from a lack of fitness. “I’m not a young tennis player so unfortunately I have to finish but I’m looking forward to it.
“I’d spoken to my team and my family about it a few months ago but I was still a little bit unsure. I wasn’t 100% certain that it was the right decision.
“I obviously would’ve loved to have kept going but obviously I had quite a bad injury in March with my ankle and then came back and played some tournaments and then had the problem with my back and the surgery before Wimbledon.
“I knew that I wasn’t necessarily going to be able to do it much longer and physically the injuries were taking their toll, so that was when I really made the call.
“When I had to have the operation, I didn’t know if I would be fit for Wimbledon or to play here [at the Olympics] but managed to put myself in a position to compete and I’m looking forward to competing here and then whatever comes next.”
