Andy Murray hints that retirement may be close if injury woes continue – ‘It could be the last year’

Andy Murray has hinted that retirement may be around the corner after a sobering end to last season as he prepares to mark his 20th season on the ATP Tour on New Year’s Day.

The 36-year-old faces Grigor Dimitrov in his first match at the Brisbane International on Monday, and admits that recent results – he won only two matches in his last five events – have taken their toll.

“But then if physically I’m doing well and my results are good and I’m playing well, then that’s enjoyable and I could see myself still playing.

“We’ll see how the year goes, see how the body holds up. If things are going well, I’d love to keep going. But if they’re not, and I’m not enjoying it, it could be the last year, yes.”

The Scot admits that injury problems and illness have taken their toll on his preparations, but believes he is now at the right level to compete.

“I had the shoulder injury before Davis Cup [in November] so I wasn’t able to serve for a few weeks, and then there’s obviously a gradual build-up to being able to serve full out,” he explained.

“And also I got quite sick literally just as I was leaving to go to Dubai, so that made things a bit tricky – and I had a bruised meniscus in my knee which also restricted me from doing certain things.

“I was able to still practise and do lots of training but it’s just there was certain stuff I wasn’t able to do – like playing points and full-out sprinting and changes of direction.

“So, it’s not been that straightforward but the last 10 days or so I’ve managed to get more of that in. There are signs in practice that my level is good enough.”

“Obviously I would like the opportunity to play against them again, ideally in the latter stages of big tournaments,” he explained.

“I’ve missed that feeling and not had that opportunity really. I can’t remember the last time I played them, to be honest.

“Ideally I would want to be doing that in the tournaments, and not in the first rounds. I’d like to be doing it in the latter stages if I can.”