Three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray has opened up on the endless strain of speculations around the future of Roger Federer in tennis.
Speaking to reporters after marking his return to singles action with an emphatic straight-set win over Frenchman Benoit Paire at the Queens ATP 500 on Tuesday, Murray shared experiences of being the subject of discourse around retirement wondering why some people always want to ask such questions of champions.
I hope he keeps playing for as long as he can: Andy Murray
Murray said that any player, especially someone of the stature of Federer, should be accorded the privilege to decide when to call it quits.
The two-time Wimbledon champion said that Federer has been an absolute champion for the better part of over two decades, winning everything that there is to win and seeing many tennis records fall to him.
He said that his only wish for Federer is that he keeps on playing as long as his body carries him through matches and tournaments.
He’s been brilliant, and I hope he keeps playing for as long as he can. Yeah, I just don’t quite understand, because I have experienced it myself, this sort of why people want to always ask those questions about when someone is going to finish. Like, he’ll do it when he’s ready.
Andy Murray
The Scot added that the tennis world should celebrate Federer and cherish his exploits in the game while he is still around as he would be sorely missed when he is gone.
I wish everyone would encourage him to keep going and keep playing as long as he can, as long as his body can do it, because we’ll miss him when it’s over.
Andy Murray
The former British No. 1 recalled how some people got talking about Federer’s future in the game after he lost to Spaniard Tommy Robredo in the fourth round of the US Open in 2013.
Murray says he doesn’t see Federer quitting anytime soon
In the eight years that followed, Federer has added several titles, including Grand Slams, to his name.
I have heard quite a few times over the years that he was going to stop and people have been speculating on that different times over – remember when he lost to Tommy Robredo at the US Open, people talking about that then. I don’t know if that was like eight, nine years ago or something.
Andy Murray
He added that he doesn’t see Federer stopping anytime soon as he still has the same love and passion for the game as he did when he started out.
I don’t know whether he’s going to stop playing this year or not. I’d be surprised if he did the way that he is still able to play and compete. He seems like he still loves it.
Andy Murray
In a message to detractors making a big deal of his age and fitness, Federer reached the third round on his return to Roland-Garros and opened his Halle campaign with a win as he bids for a glory run at Wimbledon.
