'We'll miss him' - Tim Henman makes feelings clear on Andy Murray as retirement edges closer

'We'll miss him' - Tim Henman makes feelings clear on Andy Murray as retirement edges closer

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Lewis Winter

By Lewis Winter


Published: 24/03/2024

- 08:58

The three-time Grand Slam champion is aiming to bow out on a high this year

Former British No 1 Tim Henman says we must enjoy watching Andy Murray while we can ahead of his retirement from professional tennis.

Murray has already indicated he will hang up his racket this summer and Henman says the Scot will be missed.


Murray will bow out on his own terms after facing countless questions over his future in recent months as form and fitness catches up with him.

The 36-year-old is rolling back the years at the Miami Open this week having reached the third round where he will play Tomas Machac on Sunday.

Andy Murray and Tim Henman

Andy Murray will be missed when he retires, says Tim Henman

Getty/Sky Sports

Murray beat Tomas Martin Etcheverry in straight sets on Saturday after rain suspended the match which began on Friday.

It is the first time he has won two matches at a tournament in 2024.

Henman has paid tribute to what he has described as an 'absolutely incredible' career for Murray.

The pundit believes the two-time Wimbledon champion has every right to decide when he will call it a day.

Henman told Sky Sports: "There's been a lot of talk around his retirement and I've always said that he should play for as long as he wants.

"There's been an indication that he's going to stop sometime in the summer and when we all look back and reflect on what he's achieved, it's absolutely incredible.

"To win three Slams and two Olympic golds as well as the Davis Cup and be world No 1, it's an absolutely phenomenal achievement

"And I think you do have to take into account the era that he's been competing in against [Roger] Federer, [Rafael] Nadal, and [Novak] Djokovic who are three of the greatest players in the history of our sport, so he will look back with a lot of satisfaction.

"He's going to enjoy these last few months and we should enjoy watching him because I'm sure we'll miss him when he's gone."

Henman played Murray towards the end of his career, something he didn't enjoy.

He said: "I played him four times and I didn't enjoy playing him because first and foremost the game style, he was such a good counter-puncher, such a good mover, and such a good returner.

"He was a slightly better version of Leyton Hewitt and I didn't like playing Hewitt - we were also at different stages of our career.

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Andy Murray

Andy Murray is competing at the Miami Open this weekend

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"There was a certain amount of expectation that went with those matches from a British point of view but he's been a great friend of mine since he was probably 16, 17 coming on the scene and hopefully I'll get him on the golf course a bit more once he's retired."

Henman cannot see Murray becoming a TV pundit but believes he could stay in tennis after spending some time with his family.

He added: "If you're saying to me which avenue is he going to take, would he go down a television or a coaching role?

"I would say my opinion is he is more likely to go down a coaching route, but he's got family with four young kids, and I'm sure he'll take some time to relax when he does eventually hang up the racket."

Andy Murray

Andy Murray insists he will retire on his own terms

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Speaking ahead of the Miami Open, Murray admitted he was fed up with being asked about his future.

He told The Times: "You’re just sort of bored of answering the question. When I lost at the Australian Open, I was obviously extremely disappointed.

"But just because you’ve lost, it’s like, OK, well, when are you going to stop playing? It’s been happening since Wimbledon last year in most weeks.

"It’s something that I’ve had to talk about and entertain. Obviously, at some stage the end will come."

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