Sir Andy Murray showed off his trademark sense of humour just minutes after his remarkable tennis career came to an end on Thursday night.
The two-time Olympic champion retired from the sport when he and British teammate Dan Evans were beaten in straight sets by American duo Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul in the doubles quarter-final.
Before the Games began, Murray announced he would retire from the sport following the end of the Paris 2024 event.
And the 37-year-old cut an emotional figure as he waved to fans on Court Suzanne Lenglen, facing a tennis court for the final time in his career.
However, it didn’t take long for him to regain his usual wit and he took to social media app X to joke about it all. “I never really liked tennis anyway,” Murray posted.
Andy Murray joked that he “never liked tennis anyway” on X right after his final tennis match.
The final match of Andy Murray’s glittering tennis career ended in defeat in Paris on Thursday
Murray and his British teammate Dan Evans lost in the quarter-finals of the Olympic men’s doubles.
Taylor Fritz (right) and Tommy Paul (left) will now face an Australian duo in the semi-finals.
With retirement looming over his head throughout the tournament, Murray admitted he is now ready for the next stage of his life.
Speaking to BBC Sport after the defeat, he said: ‘I’ve been preparing for this moment for the last few months since I had back surgery. I knew it was the right time and I feel lucky to be coming to compete here.
“I’m grateful to Dan Evans for the effort he made to give us a good chance to have a great race. I’m looking forward to stopping now.
‘I’ve given everything I can to the sport and I love competing at the Olympics. These weeks are very special and I will definitely miss them. I’ve done everything I can to prepare for this event.
“It would have been a fairytale ending to win a medal, but it wasn’t to be. I’m proud to be part of Team GB and I’ll miss it.”
Having withdrawn from the singles event to focus entirely on his bid for men’s doubles glory, Murray briefly joked with fans that the final chapter could be golden.
After saving five match points to beat Japan in the first round, Murray and Evans saved a few more on their way to defeating Belgium in the second. But on Thursday they were soundly beaten, losing 6-2 6-4.
Fritz and Paul will now face Australians Matthew Ebden and John Peers in the semi-finals.
An emotional Murray was pictured waving as he left the court after the final match of his career.
Both Murray and Evans shed tears as they shared a hug after the match at Roland Garros.
Murray also received a hug from Taylor Fritz, who is currently ranked 12th in the ATP singles rankings.
Murray won three Grand Slam singles titles during his career, including two at Wimbledon. He also won three Olympic medals for Great Britain – two golds in singles and a silver in mixed doubles at London 2012.
Fritz and Paul led the applause as Murray made his emotional exit from the court.
Murray, who was knighted in 2019, retires with a huge legacy behind him. The Scot won 46 singles titles in an era he shared with Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. He beat a member of that famous trio 29 times.
Murray was world number one in 2016, the year he won his second Wimbledon title and became a double Olympic champion. He won 739 of his 1,001 ATP Tour matches and earned $64,677,584 in prize money.
As the king of British tennis, his career felt like a series of very public events. His retirement was no exception and sparked widespread reaction in the sporting world and beyond.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer tweeted on Thursday night: “1 Davis Cup, 2 Olympic golds and 3 Grand Slams. But more than that, thank you @andy_murray for two decades of phenomenal entertainment and sportsmanship. A true British great.”
Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney added: ‘Our condolences to @andy_murray and Dan Evans.
“They put on a very lively performance. Thank you, Andy, for inspiring us all. Scotland couldn’t be more proud of you and all you’ve given us.”
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer reacted to Murray’s withdrawal by praising him via X
John Swinney tweeted: “Scotland couldn’t be more proud of you and all you’ve given us.”
Murray won three Grand Slam singles titles during his career, including Wimbledon twice.
British tennis player Naomi Broady told BBC Radio 5 Live: “The legacy Andy Murray leaves behind will continue to impact British tennis for decades to come.”
Two-time Olympic cycling champion Victoria Pendleton added: “I think she has brought a huge amount to British sport and to the Olympic Games.
‘I’ve been fortunate enough to meet Andy on a few occasions and he’s always been humble, driven and kind, and that says a lot.
‘His legacy is undoubtedly enormous after his retirement from the sport. He has given his all to achieve such great things and we are all grateful for that.
“I just want to say thank you Andy Murray for being a hero.”
Despite losing 6-2, 6-4, Murray and Evans still produced some moments of magic on Thursday.
But there were also moments of disappointment, as Murray seemed frustrated at times.
Murray bid farewell to tennis at Roland Garros with five Olympic rings behind him
Presenter and author Greg James said on social media: ‘It’s going to be horrible to have to watch tennis and not feel nauseous, isn’t it?
“Thank you, Andy Murray. He’s been a nightmare at times, but I wouldn’t change a thing. I don’t even want to debate it. He’s the greatest sportsman of all time.”