By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Wednesday January 31 2024
Even Andy Murray is quick to admit, as he did this week on the website formerly known as Twitter, that he is in the midst of a “Terrible Moment”. And the three-time Grand Slam champion, former No.1 and Certain Hall of Famer knows, as he also said on social media, that most people would quit if they were in his situation right now.
But that doesn’t make it a good idea to call for his retirement.
Nevertheless, tennis fans and pundits can’t seem to help themselves.
How long has it been since Murray reached the second week at a major? Well, just about seven years, actually, at Wimbledon in 2017. Back when Murray was a spry 30-year-old who didn’t yet have a metal hip.
Tennis journalists can’t help themselves either. Even Scottish ones, who you’d think would be decidedly loyal to Andy’s self-proclaimed wishes.
In a recent column for the BBC, Kheridine Idessane asks:
When does it become clear that the massive investment of time, energy and effort is not paying any kind of dividend at all?
At what point does bravely soldiering on start to damage his legacy?
Murray, stern combatant that he is, quickly took offense to the article and jumped on his phone to bang out a heated reply.
“Tarnishing my legacy?” he wrote. “Do me a favour. I’m in a terrible moment 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 won’t quit. I will keep fighting and working to produce the performances I know I’m capable of.”
There were many – namely Andy Roddick, Martina Navratilova and Andy’s mum Judy – who took Andy’s side. Yes, journalists have a right to write what they went, but we do, then, have a right to tell them enough is enough….
We can reply with our own questions:
How is being one of the most incredible fighters in the history of our sport tarnishing a legacy? Does it matter if Andy returns to the top 20 or makes a deep run at Wimbledon, or bags his first title since 2019?
Let us not forget that Murray was close last year when he reached the final in Doha, and he may yet get close again – but not if he does what so many people seemingly want, and hangs up his racquets for the last time.
So to those who think it’s a waste of time for Murray to struggle in this terrible moment, with a yucky five-match losing streak in tow, we say this: Don’t tune in.
As for the rest of us, who truly appreciate Murray’s desire to end his brilliant career on his own terms, let’s enjoy the ride (however bumpy) and appreciate the man’s effort – not just whether he wins or loses.
One thing we can all agree on? We’ll miss the heck out of Andy Murray when he’s gone.