Andy Murray Delays Retirement with Epic Comeback

Andy Murray delayed his retirement with a dramatic victory alongside Dan Evans in their Olympic men’s doubles opener. The British pair saved five match points to win 2-6, 7-6 (7-5), 11-9 against Japan’s Taro Daniel and Kei Nishikori. Murray, 37, who announced that Paris 2024 would be his final event expressed astonishment at the comeback, especially as they trailed 9-4 in the deciding tie-break.

The victory surprised even Murray’s mother, Judy, who had nearly given up hope. Murray, a three-time Grand Slam champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist, took pride in their resilience and his mental toughness which has been a hallmark of his career. He praised Evans, who also overcame a singles win against Tunisia’s Moez Echargui despite a fall that initially raised injury concerns.

Their next opponents will emerge from the match between French eighth seeds Arthur Fils and Ugo Humbert and Belgium’s Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen. Murray, who has battled numerous injuries and undergone surgeries, including a recent cyst removal, remains a formidable competitor. In 2019, he feared retirement due to a hip injury but made a remarkable comeback, winning ATP trophies and notable Grand Slam matches.

In other Olympic action, British number one Jack Draper defeated Nishikori 6-1, 6-4, while Katie Boulter, the leading British women’s player, lost 6-4, 6-2 to Slovakia’s Anna Karolina Schmiedlova. Cameron Norrie withdrew due to an arm injury before his match against Tallon Griekspoor. Despite challenges, Murray and Evans’ epic fightback keeps their Olympic hopes alive and adds another memorable moment to Murray’s illustrious career.