Andy Murray provides retirement update after French Open exit to Stan Wawrinka - 'Body isn't what it was'
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Andy Murray has suggested he's eager to remain in tennis for a little while longer despite his defeat to Stan Wawrinka at the French Open on Sunday night.
Wawrinka won 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 to book his place in the second round of the competition, with Murray struggling throughout the clash.
The former world No 1 has long indicated that 2024 will probably be his last year in tennis.
His body has caused him issues in recent years, which is why Murray knows the end of the road is in sight.
Andy Murray says he's still enjoying giving tennis 'a go' after his defeat to Stan Wawrinka at the French Open
REUTERS
However, speaking after his defeat to Wawrinka, he insisted he was still 'enjoying giving it a go' - hinting he wasn't ready to hang up his racket just yet.
"I did really well here over the years," he said.
"You know, a lot of the results and stuff that I think the issue for me is that when you compare it to, like, what Rafa or Novak achieved in the same time, it obviously is minuscule in comparison.
"But yeah, most players would sign up for the results I've had here.
"I played [one] final, I think four semis and made the quarters, I don't know, I don't know how many times, a couple of times as well, maybe.
"Yeah, lost in the semis, I lost to Novak in five, Stan in five, and twice to Rafa. Obviously no shame in that.
"In a different time maybe the results would have been a bit different. But yeah, I'm proud of the results that I had here. I had great memories.
"Like you said, it was not an easy surface for me. But I always showed up and put in some strong performances, considering. And yeah, it was a good run here over the years.”
He continued: "My body isn't what it was 10 years ago. I'm fully aware of that.
"It takes a lot of time and effort to get it in a position to go out there and compete. It's not always perfect.
"But I still enjoy giving [it] a go and trying to get myself out there and be as competitive as possible."
While it was a difficult night for Murray, Wawrinka has gone through.
The Swiss famously won the French Open back in 2015, stunning Novak Djokovic in the final.
And he also made the last round in 2017, too, with Rafael Nadal eventually reigning supreme on that occasion.
Wawrinka was full of praise for Murray after his win, insisting he's 'one of the hardest workers' on the ATP tour.
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Andy Murray wasn't too downbeat after losing to Stan Wawrinka at the French Open on Sunday night
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"I think Andy did everything he could since he arrived on tour," he said.
"Super young, he was an amazing fighter. He always found solutions. He's one of the hardest workers on tour.
"For more than 20 years, he always wanted to improve. He always improved his game.
"At the French Open, he made semi-final, went to the final, he became No 1. He achieved everything a player could achieve in tennis."
And Wawrinka hopes Murray will keep playing for 'a little bit', despite the Briton seemingly edging closer to quitting tennis for good.
Andy Murray has been hailed by Stan Wawrinka after losing at the French Open
REUTERS
"He's an amazing champion, amazing guy," the former French Open champion added.
"I think he has a lot of fans, a lot of people started playing tennis because of him.
"I respect him a lot. I enjoyed playing him a lot the last 20 years. We played so many times, so many big battles.
"Hopefully, he's going to keep going a little bit."