I have an idea in my head of when I would like to stop but it’s not definitive – Andy Murray

 

Veteran Andy Murray has a date in his head when he wants to call time on his career but also revealed it’s not definitive. Murray, who has shown great resistance to keep playing the sport even with a metal hip, is at the fag end of his glorious career.

The 36-year-old had earlier pulled out of Roland Garros to strengthen his preparation for the grass season, especially Wimbledon. Murray, a two-time Wimbledon champion, will begin his championships campaign against compatriot Ryan Peniston on Tuesday.

The experienced campaigner will look to make a deep run at the upcoming Wimbledon. Murray enters Wimbledon after having won at Surbiton and at Nottingham but suffered a first-round defeat at Queen Club.

“I mean, I have an idea in my head of when I would like to stop,” Murray said. “That’s not definitive. A lot of that is just I think it is good to do that so you can start planning a little bit.

“I’m aware, based on how my last sort of five, six years have gone, that things can change very quickly, as well. I’m keeping an open mind to that. Yeah, I do have an idea of when I’d like to stop, yeah.”

Murray, a three-time Grand Slam champion, wants to finish his career being healthy and fit. The veteran had played two marathon five-set matches against Matteo Berrettini and Thanasi Kokkinakis in the first two rounds of the Australian Open.

“After the matches I was having, it was like, this maybe isn’t that good for me, like, long-term to be playing those sorts of matches.

“I could keep doing that probably, I don’t know, until the hip finishes. I don’t really want to do that. I want to finish on my terms when I’m fit and healthy and still competing at a good level.

Wimbledon starts on Tuesday.