Three-time Grand Slam winner Andy Murray has discussed his new career decision with Wimbledon looming around the corner.
Coming up to a year on from retiring from the sport, Murray has embarked on multiple new chapters after his playing career.
Most notably, he took on the challenge of coaching seven-time Wimbledon winner Novak Djokovic during the twilight of his career.
The Serb declared last month the pair were to split just before the start of Roland Garros, in which he reached the semi-final but tasted defeat against world no 1 Jannik Sinner.
Novak Djokovic announced the split with Andy Murray after working together for six months
PA
Since then, Murray has announced he is embarking on a stage tour, despite claiming he “wasn’t keen on the idea”, discussing his career and experiences to live crowds across the United Kingdom.
Speaking to GQ magazine, Murray said: “This wasn't something I was keen on as an idea, but my team suggested it a few times.
“One of the things I struggled with in interviews was that essentially everything I said publicly since I was 18 was recorded, and a lot of it can’t be undone.”
The 38-year-old played his first main tour match at the ATP Barcelona Open in 2005 at the age of just 17.
JUST IN: Imane Khelif told to 'return Olympic medal from Paris' as boxing chief explains 'suspicious moments'
Andy Murray said he 'wasn't keen on the idea' of a tour initially
Getty
He had already made his debut in the Davis Cup for Great Britain in the same year and demonstrates how young the former world no 1 was when he was exposed to worldwide media attention.
Murray continued: “Getting the chance to go and speak to my fans in private settings where hopefully I’m comfortable enough to open up and talk about some of the difficult moments of my career, some of the great moments in my career, will be a nice thing to do.”
The two-time Wimbledon champion retired in August of last year after playing a doubles Wimbledon match along with his brother, Jamie.
Murray described his retirement as “totally different” to how he envisaged: “I had these great ideas that I wanted to retire in a specific way, and it happened totally differently to what I expected.
READ MORE: Roger Federer, 43, reveals plan for Wimbledon return and leaks Andy Murray news
“It wasn’t about winning a title and having this Hollywood ending. The last match I played at Wimbledon was doubles with my brother.
“We lost in the first round on Centre Court and I could barely feel my foot on my left leg. I would have liked to be able to play a little bit better, but when I reflect on it, that was a great way for me to finish.”
During his career, Murray shared the court with long-term rivals and friends Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
The quartet reunited for Nadal’s farewell ceremony at Roland Garros last month, but the Scotsman described his place in the ‘Big Four’ as “difficult” due to what the other three members had achieved in comparison.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
Andy Murray, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic at Nadal's farewell ceremonyGettyHe explained: “It’s always difficult because I’m aware that what those guys have achieved is far greater than anything I achieved.
“That being said, the reason why people started calling it ‘Big Four’ was because in every major event, whether it was Grand Slams or the Masters Series, two, three or four of us were always in the latter stage of events, competing to win the biggest tournaments.
“When I had my hip injury [in 2017], I was ranked No 1 in the world, and unfortunately afterwards I was not able to get back to where I was.
“But there was a period from when I was 22 to 29 when I was in the mix at most of the major events with those guys. I had some amazing matches with all of them.”
Murray lost five Grand Slam finals against Djokovic and three against Federer.
Crucially, though, he managed to get the better of Djokovic in both the 2012 US Open final and at Wimbledon in his famous 2013 triumph.
He concluded: “There was always a possibility that I could win, and in many ways tennis fans who watched that period knew it was a great time to play, because you had three of the best players of all time, playing in one period.
“I was the plus one, unfortunately. When I look back at the fact that to get over the line at Wimbledon, I had to beat the best men’s player of all time [Djokovic], I’m proud I managed to do that.”
Fans across the country have flocked to attend Murray’s tour, of which he has announced Glasgow, Edinburg, London and Wimbledon so far.
Most Read
