Andy Murray fights back tears and receives standing ovation with retirement confirmed after Olympics defeat

Andy Murray has said goodbye to tennis for the last time after being knocked out of the men's doubles at the Paris Olympics.

Murray and Dan Evans were facing Team USA duo Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul but fell to a 6-2 6-4 defeat at Roland Garros.

5 Murray's days as a tennis star are over after being eliminated from the men's doubles at the Paris Olympics Credit: AFP

It brings an end to a stunning career in which the Scotsman has established himself as one of Britain's greatest-ever sports stars.

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As well as reaching world no.1, Murray has won three Grand Slam titles in his career, including a US Open in 2012.

He also won Wimbledon twice in 2013 and 2016, as well as winning two Olympic gold medals in men's singles in 2012 and 2016.

While his campaign at Paris 2024 hasn't ended with a medal, it was only fitting that his career would end on one of the biggest stages of all.

Murray and Evans were painfully close to a first round exit at Paris 2024 but pulled off a heroic comeback to see off Taro Daniel and Kei Nishikori on Sunday.

They then edged out Belgian duo Joran Vliegen and Sander Gille on Tuesday to progress to the men’s doubles quarter-finals.

However, US duo Fritz and Paul – who are ranked 11th and 13th in the LTA rankings respectively – put up a much more stern test and eventually prospered.

Murray, who fought back the tears as he received a standing ovation from the fans in attendance, as well as an emotional Evans and from Fritz and Paul.

Speaking to talkSPORT after the match, he said: “I’m happy that it’s the end of my career right now. I genuinely didn’t want to play for much longer.

A few months ago I did feel slightly differently about it but I’m happy about it now. I’m physically not able to play and do the things that I want to or allow me to play the high level tennis any more.

5 His stellar playing career didn't end in the way that he'd have liked Credit: Getty

5 He and Evans put on a show towards the end of their gallant defeat Credit: Getty

5 Murray was very emotional as he said goodbye for the final time Credit: Getty

I’m ready to finish and proud of the results and the career I’ve had and what’s been a really difficult time to win Major events, the players that have been around.

There’s obviously things I wish I could’ve done differently, I look back at some decisions I made in my career and wish I’d done it differently but on the whole I gave it a really good go and almost got the most out of myself. It’s been a good journey.”

Murray added: “I want to be home with my family, I want to be with my kids. I might try and bring the elder ones here next week to try and get them to watch some of the sports, they’ve been watching it on the TV and it’s the first time they’ve actually engaged in the sport so I might try and get them along to watch if my wife allows it.

"I want to watch my kids grow up, try to be a good dad and good husband and in a few months’ time when I’ve had a rest, relax and think about things I’ll make a plan for what’s next but I want to have a rest now.”

Murray has been soaking up the experience of his last-ever Olympics having been spotted on the Team GB boat during the Olympic opening ceremony.

He was then revealed to have been collecting Olympic pin badges as he looked to squeeze every memory out of his time in Paris.

Now that his tennis days are over, Murray has also hinted at what he plans to do post-retirement, saying: "I'll play a lot of golf.

5 However no one can diminish the heights that he reached in his stunning career Credit: Getty

"I want to become a scratch golfer. I've always loved playing golf, but because of the issues with my back, I haven't played for five or six years.

"I don't know exactly what the rest of my life will look like, but I will still stay in touch with the sport," Murray continued. "Initially, I want to be at home with my family. I want to spend a lot of time with my kids and my wife, so I won't be on the road much, I know that."

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