DOHA:
Gael Monfils
has a word of advice for anyone talking about retirement to
Andy Murray
. Well-meaning or otherwise. “He’s a legend, a true champion, whatever decision he takes all credit to him,” said the 37-year-old Frenchman.
The Briton, ranked 50, arrived in Doha looking for his first win of the year, having lost his previous six matches. Murray, who knocked out France’s Alexandre Muller in straight sets in the first round of the
Qatar ExxonMobil Open
, has been the focus of debates, where everyone —from the informed to the uninformed —have been calling time to what has been a sparkling career.
The 36-year-old Scot has two Wimbledon titles, one US Open, and two Olympic golds. He also underwent hip surgeries in January 2018 and another 12 months later.
His Antwerp title in 2019 came after the metal hip. Since losing the final in Doha last year, he hasn’t won more than two matches at any Tour-level event.
“I don’t think anyone can understand what he’s doing,” Monfils said. “I can’t understand either, maybe a little bit I can, but I admire him. He reached the top of the game when playing against the best of the best. No one can understand it and no one can question him.”
Murray who tied himself up in knots in his second-round match against 18-year-old Czech Yakub Mensik on Wednesday, went down 6-7 (6), 7-6 (3), 6-7 (4).
“I still feel motivated to compete and test myself against the best players,” Murray said. “At times it’s been difficult, certainly in the last months and years with the injuries and just getting old.” “A lot of ex-players I have spoken to have said, when it’s over, it’s over, and nothing will really replace that,” said Murray of his career.
“They say, you should play as long as you can whilst you're still able and enjoying it. I don’t want to have any regrets when I make that decision.”
English (US) ·