Andy Murray drew an interesting comparison between athletes and politicians recently
Andy Roddick inserted himself into the debate over Andy Murray’s career after the Brit hit back at claims that he was tarnishing his legacy.
Andy Roddick has shared his fury over suggestions that Andy Murray should end his career because of a poor period of form. The Brit recently hit out at an article claiming that he was tarnishing his legacy by continuing to play, making it clear that he wasn’t going to quit. Former world No. 1 Roddick has now inserted himself into the debate and admitted the retirement comments “p***** me off”.
Andy Murray is going through a rough patch, losing his last six matches. The three-time Grand Slam champion is winless in 2024 and his last victory came in October. It has prompted some discussion over whether the 36-year-old should soon hang up his racket – suggestions that Murray recently shut down.
Responding to a BBC article questioning whether Murray should call it a day so he could protect his reputation, the world No. 49 tweeted: “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.”
Roddick immediately defended Murray on X (formerly known as Twitter) and he has now voiced his anger in the latest episode of his podcast Served. “Did you see the Murray thing this week where the journalist basically was just talking out loud? Maybe I’m overly sensitive or something,” he started.
“The gist of it is like, okay, the bit that really p***** me off is like, ‘is it time for Andy Murray to retire?’ Okay, I think it’s a little bit of a tacky question in the first place, but also, ‘is what he’s doing now tarnishing his legacy?’”
The impassioned 2003 US Open winner asked whether he was overreacting as he continued: “As if what he does in Montpellier takes away Wimbledon titles, US Open titles. It’s amazing how it’s like, ‘Oh my gosh, all we want is for this drought from the 20s to end.’ But then six years later it’s like, ‘but not if you lose in the first round of Montpellier.’
“I mean, am I overreacting to this?” And Roddick pointed out that Murray was still good enough to get into tournaments off his own back as a top 50 player, rather than relying on wildcards – proof that he was still a strong competitor. He’s earned the points to qualify, he’s not taking these wildcards.
“He’s getting in on merit, he’s a top 50 player right now, on one leg. So I feel like it’s adding to the mystique of Andy Murray,” he added. “I’m sitting here going, ‘did I ever love the game as much as he loves it going out there on one leg?’ Delivering a product that would be sub par to what he knows is his best.
“He’s seen the best in the world, he is eyes wide open. He’s one of the most intelligent people that we have in our game, and you’re telling him that he can’t participate in a job that he’s earned – not by virtue of someone giving him the job – by the fact that he’s one of the best 50 players in the world and he can enter any tournament he wants where the cut-off is above 50 in the world.”
ANDY Murray has since doubled down on his claims that he wouldn’t be giving up despite struggling for wins. Now 1-9 in his last 10 matches following a first-round exit in Montpellier, the Brit said: “The easiest thing for me would have been to leave my career. But I continue because I love the game, I love training. At the moment, without a doubt, it is not easy to compete. But what is happening now does not affect my career.”
