Andy Murray has been told to shut out critics saying the time has come for him to retire from the sport.
And fellow former British No1 Tim Henman said a run of wins was around the corner despite another early tournament exit yesterday.
Andy Murray had been in the worst run of his professional career having lost six in a row dating back to the end of October last year before beating Alexandre Muller at the start of the week at the Qatar Open.
But hopes of backing that up were denied in a painful 6-7, 7-6, 7-6 defeat yesterday to 18-year-old Jakub Mensik, who was born the year Murray turned professional.
Having made last year’s final in Qatar, the result means Murray will tumble down the world rankings where the order is officially revised on Monday.
Some have suggested the time has come for Murray to hang up his racket at the age of 36 but Henman said: “There’s been certain chat about whether he should be contemplating retirement. I don’t support that.
“Being a professional tennis player is the best job in the world. While he has the hunger and desire and motivation to keep working hard and he’s enjoying himself then he should keep going. There’s plenty of time to be retired.
“With what he’s achieved in the game to have won three grand slams and two Olympic Games, it would be very easy to say thanks very much and sail off into the sunset.
“The rewards are on the court winning matches so he’ll be the most frustrated of anyone that he’s not playing the way he’s capable of. He will keep putting the work in in the belief that the results will come. I certainly believe they will.”
