Andy Murray retiring: Juan Martin del Potro urges old rival to keep fighting ‘pain and sadness’
- Tearful Murray announces he plans to quit tennis, possibly after Australian Open
- Pain has become too much for 31-year-old, but old rival has words of encouragement
Juan Martin del Petro has urged Andy Murray to keep fighting his injury woes and retire on his own terms.
Three-time grand slam winner Murray, 31, broke down in tears at an emotional press conference in Melbourne on Friday, where he announced he plans to retire this year at Wimbledon – but admitted he may not make it that far, saying the Australian Open could be the end of his career.
The former world No 1 said his hip was “severely damaged” and he had tried everything he can to heal it, without much success.
“Andy, just watched your conference,” Del Potro tweeted. “Please don’t stop trying. Keep fighting. I can imagine your pain and sadness.”
Del Potro was speaking from experience – he admitted he came close to retiring after multiple operations on his wrists which sidelined him for most of 2014 and 2015.