Tennis great Mats Wilander has expressed his hope that Andy Murray does not retire this year, but predicted the Brit will choose the Olympics as his final event if he does decide to.
The former world No 1 described Murray as one of the greatest fighters and competitors ever and feels he would have won 10 majors if he did not compete against the Big Three.
Andy Murray announced in February that he is “not likely” to play beyond this summer, meaning Wimbledon and the Olympic Games in Paris are both strong contenders to be his farewell tournament.
The 36-year-old is currently out of action after sustaining a “full rupture” of his ATFL and a “near full thickness rupture” of his CFL in his ankle in his defeat to Tomas Machac at the Miami Open last month.
The three-time Grand Slam champion suffered the injury near the end of the gruelling three-set third round contest at the ATP Masters 1000 tournament.
Murray was due to compete at clay-court events in Monte Carlo and Munich this month, but has announced his withdrawal, leaving the date of his next tournament unclear.
Speaking to Eurosport, Wilander explained why he feels Murray will choose the Olympics for his last event if 2024 is to be the final season of his career.
“I’m really, really looking forward to him playing the Olympics, because I hope that if he does quit this year – which I hope he doesn’t – I do believe personally that it will happen at the Olympics,” said the Swede.
“That’s where he’s made the biggest impact on British tennis. That’s where he has made the most fans and friends in his home nation of Great Britain because he played for his country and he won it twice.
“Not even [Roger] Federer, [Rafael] Nadal, or [Novak] Djokovic won the Olympics twice. Of course, some of those guys haven’t even won it once.
“But Andy Murray is a Wimbledon champion twice, more importantly. So I hope that he keeps the same natural free-flowing tennis that he showed in the last few weeks.
“And then he can win matches against the best players in the world, and he’s going to be a dangerous threat and go out somewhat on top.”
The seven-time Grand Slam champion hailed Murray for the fighting qualities he showcased in Miami and argued the former world No 1 has been misunderstood in his career.
“A lot of people have, I think, misunderstood Andy Murray over the years. But when you see him in Miami after doing that to his ankle, suddenly, they might realise Andy Murray is one of the greatest fighters of all time, one the greatest competitors of all time,” Wilander continued.
“He would have won 10 majors if he didn’t play at the same time as the Big Three. Again, it’s just Andy Murray. He’s an unbelievable fighter. He’s got so much knowledge, so much experience, but he still looks at tennis like a kid, like when he was 14 years old.
“The message he’s sending is, ‘I still believe, and I’ve proved the point to myself, that I can play with these young guys. I can open up my shoulders, so to speak, and go for winners and play short points if I have to’.”
Wilander added on why Murray did not retire against Machac in Miami: “I think he didn’t want to retire. He doesn’t want to retire in a match.
“He wants to try and play until the end of the match, whether it’s on one leg or one hip or one foot, whatever. He’s a fighter. He’s warrior out there, and I think he finds it challenging to try and finish the match, even though his ankle might be a bit sore.”“He wants to try and play until the end of the match, whether it’s on one leg or one hip or one foot, whatever. He’s a fighter. He’s warrior out there, and I think he finds it challenging to try and finish the match, even though his ankle might be a bit sore.”
