August 1, 2024 marked the end of Andy Murray's remarkable tennis career as the Scottish superstar tasted defeat in the men's doubles quarter-finals at the Paris Olympics. 

Murray had confirmed earlier this year that Wimbledon then the latest summer Olympic Games would be his last within the professional game. 

For this one, he partnered with fellow Brit, Dan Evans, and they managed to advance agonisingly close to the two-time Olympic Gold Medal winner adding to the impressive list of accolades he boasts. 

In their way of a semi-final spot were American third seeds Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul, who triumphed 6-2 6-4 in front of a boisterous crowd inside Roland-Garros.

Murray, 37, struggled to hide his disappointment, and perhaps let the moment sink in that he, as arguably Britain's greatest ever sportsperson, was retiring. Yet he was graceful in defeat. 

"It was a great run," a visibly dejected Murray told the BBC. "We lost to two top players today, Tommy and Taylor. They are both top tennis players and we would have had to have played very well to have won that match, and we didn't play a particularly good match, certainly from my side.

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"We got into it at the end and obviously if we could've found that form earlier then we could've caused them some problems, but it wasn't to be.

"We got through some tricky situations in the first couples of matches, we could've easily lost them. 

"We did well to make the quarters, but yeah, disappointing because if we got through that match today then we would have had an opportunity to get a medal."

Reflecting on his heroic tennis career coming to an end with a loss, Murray continued: "I feel good. I've been ready for this moment over the past few months to be honest.

"Since I had to have the operation on my back after Queen's before Wimbledon, I knew it was the right time. 

"I feel lucky that I was able to come and even compete here (in Paris), and I'm obviously really grateful to Dan for putting in the effort that he did and preparing as best as could to give us a great chance of having a great run here. 

"However, I'm looking forward to stopping now."

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His Team GB companion, Evans, who's placed 58th in the ATP rankings, shared Murray's final on-court experience together. 

He also appeared fairly distraught at how the circumstances panned out once the final match point had been played before consoling his legendary teammate with a heartwarming embrace. 

Commenting on the send-off Murray received, Evans said: "I think I said to him ‘congrats on the career, get out and enjoy, and take it in from the crowd’ because it's exactly what he deserves for what he's done for tennis.

"It's just a pleasure to finish up with him and he's been excellent to play with. 

"Although today wasn't our best day, we prepared really well, we committed to it, and had fun along the way." 

Murray went on to make one worrying confession that maybe suggests why hanging up his racquet for good, well, at least a short while, will be extremely beneficial to him. 

“It’s been really hard,” he remarked about the struggle merely to be present on the court.

“Physically, pain-wise, I feel bad. Physically I can obviously go on the court and perform at a level that’s competitive. We were close to getting in the medal rounds here.

“That’s OK, but the pain and discomfort in my body is not good and that’s also why I’m happy to be finishing. Because, if I kept going and kept trying, eventually you end up having an injury potentially ending your career. So I know that now is the right time.”