Andy Murray's glorious tennis career came to an end as the three-time Grand Slam winner bowed out of the sport with his exit from the Paris Olympics - but has ruled out one job after hanging up his racket.
The 37-year-old's near-20 year career on the tennis court came to a conclusion last night in the French capital.
Murray and partner Dan Evans were defeated in straight sets in the men's doubles in the quarter-finals at the hands of Americans Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul.
Advert
The Scot confirmed he would retire after taking part in the 2024 Olympics and that has now become a reality.
Murray won three Grand Slam titles in his career, the first of which was the US Open in 2012.
It had followed Murray suffering a heartbreaking defeat at Wimbledon to Roger Federer earlier that year, but he won the gold medal in the men's singles against Federer at the London 2012 Olympics, as well as silver in the mixed doubles.
Advert
Murray won Wimbledon in 2013 after beating Novak Djokovic, before winning his home Grand Slam once again in 2016 with victory over Milos Raonic.
Murray retained his Olympic single's crown with gold at Rio 2016 after beating Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro, and he became world number one by the end of that year.
In recent years, however, Murray's career has been dogged and disrupted by injuries, and it has led to him choosing to retire following his involvement at this summer's Olympics with Team GB, with the most recent Wimbledon his last major Grand Slam.
Advert
Had it not been for injuries and had he not played in the same era as Federer, Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, whom many regard as three of the greatest men's tennis players of all-time, who knows how many more Grand Slam titles Murray might have won in his career.
The inevitable question people will have for Murray is what he might do next in the next chapter of his life away from playing professional tennis.
But he appears to have ruled out going down the route of former players like John McEnroe and Boris Becker and will not be commentating on the sport.
Advert
For now, it seems he will take some time out before deciding upon what he does in the next stage of his life, though he will be able to devote more time to being a father to his four children.
As per the Telegraph, he said: "I don’t know what I’m going to do. I’ll be away from the sport for a few months, if not longer, assessing options."
He added: "Obviously, it was emotional because it's the last time I will play a competitive match.
"But I am genuinely happy just now. I'm happy with how it finished.
Advert
"I'm glad I got to go out here at the Olympics and finish on my terms because at times in the last few years that wasn't a certainty."
Topics: Andy Murray, Tennis, Olympics
John McDougall