Andy Murray admits it could be ‘months’ before retirement

Andy Murray says he may only have a few months left in his career after beating Denis Shapovalov in Dubai on Monday.

Speaking after the win, Murray, 36, said: “I probably don't have much time left, but I will do my best over the last few months.

“I still love competing and I still love the game, but it gets harder and harder to compete as you get older, to keep your body fit and fresh.”

Murray's win against the Canadian was his second of the 2024 season after getting off to a torrid start that saw him lose his first four matches.

The three-time Grand Slam champion came from a set behind on Monday to beat Shapovalov 4-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-3. It was Murray's 500th hard court victory of his professional career, according to the LTA.

The Scot had previously hinted that this year could be his last, telling reporters at the Australian Open that it was “highly possible” that his defeat to Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry would be his last appearance at this major tournament.

However, he also hit out at outside implications that it might be time to leave the sport, particularly when a BBC journalist said after a defeat to Benoit Paire in Montpellier in late January that his late-career form could “harm his legacy”.

“Holding on to my legacy? Do me a favor,” Murray responded on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

“I'm in a terrible place right now, I'll give you that. Most people would quit and give up in my situation right now. But I'm not most people and my mind works differently.

“I will not give up. I will continue to fight and work to produce the performances that I know I am capable of.”

Murray returns to action in Dubai on Wednesday.