Tennis hero Andy Murray slaps down BBC reporter who claims he’s ‘tarnishing his legacy’ amid retirement rumours
ANDY MURRAY has batted away any suggestion that he is ready to retire.
And one BBC reporter found that out as swiftly as one of the Dunblane hero's trademark returns.
Murray lost in the first round of the Open Sud de France yesterday, going down in three sets to home favourite Benoit Paire.
While the Frenchman had the crowd on his side, recent form certainly wasn't.
Paire was without a win on the ATP Tour in 18 months and the surprise result, coupled with the Scot's first round exit at the Austrlian Open earlier this month, prompted some to ponder if he was considering hanging up his racket for good.
In an article for the BBC titled "Andy Murray: Is the end nigh for three-time Grand Slam winner after latest loss?", journalist Kheredine Idessane speculated that the 36-year-old might be harming his legacy by continuing to play whilst struggling for form.
In the article, Idessane wrote: "When does the pride of a champion and the refusal to back down from a challenge do more harm than good? When does it become clear that the massive investment of time, energy and effort is not paying any kind of dividend at all?"
Later, he said: "The stats tell a story of steady decline. He's yet to win a match in three tournaments this year. He's now gone out in the first round of six of his past seven events. In his past nine matches, Murray - one of the greatest competitors in the modern history of the game - has won just one. At what point does bravely soldiering on start to damage his legacy?"
But Murray was having none of it.
The world no.49 admits his performances of late haven't been up to standard but he insists he WILL stick around to try and change that.
Murray responded: "Tarnishing my legacy? 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."
Murray has proven time and again that he is unlike most other athletes, let alone tennis players.
Notwithstanding his 46 career titles in the strongest ever era of men's tennis as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic ruled the roost, the fact he was able to mount a comeback from injury post-2017 borders on the unbelievable.
He's managed to climb up the rankings and win events since his return - all with a metal hip.
Indeed, Idissane replied: "Good to hear. As you’ll see in the piece, and my accompanying words on here, I’ve made it pretty clear you’re not ‘most people’."
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