Andy Murray has told Sky Sports his decision to retire from tennis following the Paris Olympics was ultimately "not difficult", revealing the moment he knew it was time for him to finish.
Speaking to Sky Sports from Team GB's base in Paris on Wednesday, Murray discussed the reasoning behind his Tuesday announcement that the Olympics would be his "last ever tennis tournament".
The two-time gold medal winner will compete at his fifth Games after making an emotional farewell at Wimbledon earlier this month as he teamed up with brother Jamie in the doubles in his final appearance at the All England Club.
"There's a number of reasons. One is that physically my body is ready to stop. Mentally, I'm ready to finish playing, and the Olympics is also an event that is really special to me," Murray said.
"To be honest, right now I don't feel like it's difficult [decision to leave tennis]. A few months ago I did, I was worried about it, I was unsure about it. But right now, I'm ready.
"I'm looking forward to what comes next. Being at home with my children and family. Physically I can't prepare and compete like I used to, and therefore it's time for me to finish.
"I'm good with that, and I didn't expect to be, to be honest. I'll be fine."
The 37-year-old has suffered a number of injuries over recent years, with a persistent hip complaint threatening to force him into an earlier retirement until an eventual hip resurfacing operation.
Murray elected against competing in the singles at Wimbledon earlier this month after undergoing surgery to remove a spinal cyst - the moment he said he knew this summer was his time to walk away from tennis.
"I'd had the conversation about when I would finish with my family and my team last year and earlier this year, and I was still unsure about it," Murray said.
"I felt like I was going to finish this summer, whether that be after Wimbledon or after the Olympics. It just felt like it was the right time.
"I got the injury to my ankle in March, and then obviously got the back injury at Queen's [June] and had to have the operation. Although I was unsure a few months ago about whether I wanted to stop, I knew after I had to have the surgery on my back that it was the right time.
"My body has been through a lot the last few years. A lot of injuries, a lot of surgeries. My body and mind was ready, and I'm happy about it.
"I find it unbelievably special to be here and be part of another Olympics. I've loved being part of this team over the last four or five Olympic Games, and I'm happy I get to finish here."
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Murray to focus on doubles at Olympics
Murray looks set to skip the singles and play doubles alongside Dan Evans as he chases a fourth Olympic medal in Paris.
Asked if he was in shape to play singles, Murray said: "I need to make that decision but I don't think so.
"Obviously me and Dan have made the commitment to each other that [doubles] was what we were going to prioritise.
"I think Dan is still going to play singles but last week he did a lot of doubles practice, that's what I was predominantly practising in training when I was in Greece and since we've been here, we've been practising and playing
doubles sets together.
"That gives the team and us the best opportunity to get a medal, realistically. My back is still not perfect and the potential of playing two matches in a day is maybe not the best."
What is the tennis format at the Olympics?
The WTA and ATP format that's seen outside of Grand Slams is implemented at the Olympics.
Singles matches are best-of-three sets, while doubles are also best-of-three sets but the final set is just a tie-break, which is first to 10 points.
- Women's singles: Saturday July 27 - Saturday August 3
- Men's singles: Saturday July 27 - Sunday August 4
- Women's doubles: Saturday July 27 - Sunday August 3
- Men's doubles: Saturday July 27 - Saturday August 4
- Mixed doubles: Monday July 29 - Friday August 2
Who is representing Great Britain?
Men's Singles: Cameron Norrie, Jack Draper, Dan Evans, Andy Murray?
Women's Singles: Katie Boulter
Men's Doubles: Joe Salisbury/Neal Skupski, Dan Evans/Andy Murray
Women's Doubles: Katie Boulter/Heather Watson
What's coming up on Sky Sports Tennis?
In the run-up to the final Grand Slam of 2024 - the US Open - you can watch all of the biggest tennis stars in action live on Sky Sports as they compete across the hard-court season.
- Atlanta Open (ATP 250) - 22-28 July
- Austrian Open (ATP 250) - 22-28 July
- Croatia Open (ATP 250) - 22-28 July
- Prague Open (WTA 250) 21-26 July
- Iasi Open (WTA 250) 21-26 July
- Umag Open (ATP 250) 21-26 July
Watch the WTA and ATP Tours throughout 2024 on Sky Sports Tennis. Stream Sky Sports Tennis and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership. No contract, cancel anytime.
