SIR ANDY MURRAY has thanked fans for their words of support following the announcement that he is to retire from competitive tennis this year.
The Scot shared an picture on Instagram of himself and mother Judy, captioned: “Best way to feel better after a tough day is a big cuddle from your mum.”
He added: “Genuinely been very touched by all of the messages and support from everybody today…
“It means a lot and has made me feel much more positive than when I woke this morning. Thank you so much.”
News of his announcement broke this morning following an emotional press conference ahead of the Australian Open.
The 31-year-old, who is due to play in the tournament, told reporters that he intends to hang up his racket following this year’s Wimbledon.
He admitted, however, that the pain caused by his hip injury could force him to call time on his playing career even earlier.
Murray said: “Obviously I’ve been struggling for a long time. I’ve been in a lot of pain for about 20 months now.
“I’ve pretty much done everything that I could to try and get my hip feeling better and it hasn’t helped loads. I’m in a better place than I was six months ago but still in a lot of pain. It’s been tough.
“I’m going to play. I can still play to a level. Not a level that I’m happy playing at. But it’s not just that. The pain is too much really and I don’t want to continue playing that way.
“During my training block (in Miami last month) I spoke to my team and told them I can’t keep doing this. I needed to have an end point because I was sort of playing with no idea when the pain was going to stop.
“I said to my team, look I think I can get through this until Wimbledon. That’s where I’d like to stop playing. But I’m also not certain I’m able to do that.”
Murray is scheduled to play Roerto Bautista Agut in the first round of the Australian Open in Melbourne on Monday.
Read the latest from our columnist Judy Murray inside this weekend’s Sunday Post
Enjoy the convenience of having The Sunday Post delivered as a digital ePaper straight to your smartphone, tablet or computer.
Subscribe for only £5.49 a month and enjoy all the benefits of the printed paper as a digital replica.
Subscribe