Will Andy Murray call time on his tennis career?
Does three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray have anything left to give as a professional tennis player?
It was a question that had to be asked of Murray after the five-time finalist was outplayed in a 6-4 6-2 6-2 defeat against Argentina’s Tomas Martin Etcheverry, in a performance that was a far cry from his glory days.
He looked emotional as he gave a lingering wave to all sides of Kia Arena and his post-match media comments gave a strong hint that he suspects his tennis journey – as a player at least – is nearing a an end.
It was only Murray’s second opening-round loss at Melbourne Park in the last 16 years, with the other coming five years ago against Roberto Bautista Agut after the Scot had revealed that hip problems could mean the end of his career.
Surgery and a gruelling recovery process have given him a commendable post-script, but Murray did not dispute that this much more low-key exit could signal his final goodbye.
Murray’s post-match press conference saw him give a strong hint that he would now make a decision on whether he will continue a battle that he appears to be losing, yet it was during an interview with Eurosport that his most telling answer was delivered.
Sports stars often open up a little more when they speak to fellow athletes and in a conversation with former British No 1 Laura Robson, Murray may have given a hint that a decision on whether he will even play in his next tournament now needs to be made.
Murray won an Olympic silver medal with Robson the London 2012 Games and when she suggested he still has lots more to give, the Scot gave this reply with a smile.
“Do I? I don’t feel (like I have much more to give) right now,” he confessed.
“At times in the last year, I’ve struggled and not really enjoyed it that much, and I still feel like I can play good tennis but it’s not happening on the match court, not on the practice court, and that’s where it matters.
“I’ve only just finished. I don’t feel physically exhausted, unlike last year where I was completely spent, and going home, I was like, ‘I want a week off’. Right now, I don’t feel that tired, I feel fresh and I don’t like feeling like that when you finish a tournament, it’s not nice way to be going home.
“I’m entered in a tournament the week after the Australian Open in France, and I’ll have a chat to my team and my family in the next few days and see where I go from here.”
He hinted after last year’s US Open defeat against Grigor Dimitrov that he would quit tennis if his form and ranking was in decline and since muttering those words, his fortunes have declined further.
He admitted he wasn’t enjoying playing tennis at the back end of 2023, but headed into this year with renewed hope that he was getting back on track after some encouraging performances in practice.
It wasn’t just the fact that lost to Etcheverry in Melbourne that may have convinced Murray his time is up as the manner of the defeat was especially galling.
This wonderful champion came off court accepting he was never in the contest against an opponent who has more power, athleticism and invention on court.
The harsh truth was Etcheverry looked like a much better player than Murray and the scoreline confirmed as much.
Murray will head back to the UK to chat through his options with wife Kim and the team around him and while this might not be the end, that moment has been moved a giant step closer.
Retiring on the Wimbledon Centre Court where he achieved his greatest moments may feel like the perfect ending for Murray, but he has made it clear that he is not interested in hosting a farewell tour to round off his career.
Murray has suggested in the past that he will confirm his retirement when he feels the game is up and Britain’s greatest sportsman of all-time needs to decide whether that moment is now.