‘Unbelievable fighter’ Murray can ‘go out on top’ at Olympics – Wilander

Mats Wilander says Andy Murray can end his glittering career “on top” at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris this summer.

Murray, 36, has hinted that his retirement could be just around the corner, but the two-time Wimbledon champion is expected to compete at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris this summer.

Wilander told Eurosport that he believes the Olympics could be Murray’s final event before calling time on his career.

“I’m really, really looking forward to him playing the Olympics, because I hope that if he does quit this year – which I hope he doesn’t – I do believe personally that it will happen at the Olympics,” Wilander predicted to Eurosport.

Murray won Olympic gold at his home Games 12 years ago in Great Britain and also clinched the top spot on the podium at the 2016 Games in Rio.

He remains the only men’s player to win the singles competition twice and Wilander believes that is where his legacy lies.

“That’s where he’s made the biggest impact on British tennis,” Wilander said.

“That’s where he has made the most fans and friends in his home nation of Great Britain because he played for his country and he won it twice.

“Not even [Roger] Federer [Rafael] Nadal or [Novak] Djokovic won the Olympics twice. Of course, some of those guys haven’t even won it once.

“But Andy Murray is a Wimbledon champion twice, more importantly. So I hope that he keeps the same natural free-flowing tennis that he showed in the last few weeks.

“And then he can win matches against the best players in the world, and he’s going to be a dangerous threat and go out somewhat on top.”

Despite all the excitement around what could be an incredible end to a remarkable career for the former world No. 1, there are concerns surrounding Murray after he suffered an injury in Miami.

Wilander labelled Murray as “one of the greatest fighters of all time” who would have been far more successful had he not played in the same era as Federer, Nadal and Djokovic.

“A lot of people have, I think, misunderstood Andy Murray over the years,” Wilander explained. “But when you see him in Miami after doing that to his ankle, suddenly, they might realise Andy Murray is one of the greatest fighters of all time, one the greatest competitors of all time.

“He would have won 10 majors if he didn’t play at the same time as the big three. Again, it’s just Andy Murray. He’s an unbelievable fighter. He’s got so much knowledge, so much experience, but he still looks at tennis like a kid, like when he was 14 years old.”

Wilder also admitted Murray’s injury is “terrible, terrible news”, but credited the veteran for always wanting to match his younger, more athletic opponents.

“The message he’s sending is ‘I still believe, and I’ve proved the point to myself, that I can play with these young guys. I can open up my shoulders, so to speak, and go for winners and play short points if I have to’.”

On why Murray continued to play until the end of the match despite the injury, Wilander added: “I think he didn’t want to retire. He doesn’t want to retire in a match. He wants to try and play until the end of the match, whether it’s on one leg or one hip or one foot, whatever.

“He’s a fighter. He’s warrior out there, and I think he finds it challenging to try and finish the match, even though his ankle might be a bit sore.”