Andy Murray may be denied Olympics retirement ceremony as tennis bosses speak out
Andy Murray could end up retiring to no fanfare at the Olympics as tennis bosses have confessed that their hands may be tied when it comes to giving the two-time gold medallist a farewell ceremony.
The former world No. 1 has confirmed on multiple occasions that he will likely stop playing after the Olympic Games and he is planning to say goodbye at Paris 2024.
The International Tennis Federation will have to convince Murray to make the trip to Manchester in September for Britain’s David Cup group stage tie if they want to give his career the send-off it deserves.
Murray is preparing to say goodbye to Wimbledon over the coming days after entering the men’s doubles draw with his brother Jamie and the mixed doubles with Emma Raducanu. While the All England Club is ready to give him a ceremony if he wishes, things could be different when the Brit plays his last match ever at the Olympics.
The 37-year-old has spent most of the year preparing to play his last match over the summer. And as time has gone on, he has chosen the Paris Games at Roland Garros to be the venue for his retirement after being called up in both the singles and the doubles with Dan Evans.
But Murray’s decision could backfire as the ITF has now admitted that the International Olympic Committee could prevent a farewell ceremony for the three-time Grand Slam champion. “I think we are in discussions with various players,” ITF president David Haggerty said on Thursday.
