Andy Murray encouraged to perform tennis retirement U-turn with icon gunning for Olympics gold
Andy Murray has been encouraged to keep playing tennis amid his fine form at the Paris Olympics
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Tennis fans have called on Andy Murray to keep playing amid his sensational form at the Olympics this summer.
The former world No 1 has made the quarter-finals of the men's doubles while playing alongside Dan Evans, with the pair serving up another classic on Tuesday.
Murray and Evans saved two match points in their narrow win over Belgian pair Belgium's Joran Vliegen and Sander Gille, prolonging their dreams in the process.
Before the Olympics started, Murray said it would be his last competition before he retires.
Andy Murray has been encouraged to keep playing tennis amid his fine form at the Paris Olympics
PA
And with the three-time Grand Slam winner rolling back the years, supporters have called on him to keep on going.
"Please reconsider @andy_murray - don’t retire. Doubles really suits you - you’re on fire! It’s just the beginning not the end surely," said one user.
A second said: "Absolutely sensational what a great doubles partnership don’t retire yet Andy play doubles with Danny Boy."
A third said: "Andy Murray should rethink about his decision of last tournament he still has something left there which we r witnessing and freaking out with that high intense matches ohh Sir Andy keep playing."
Another said: "Petition for Andy Murray to keep playing doubles please."
And a fifth wrote: Dear @andy_murray You have shown how awesome you are at doubles too! Please please reconsider retiring and just play dubs."
Unfortunately, however, it's unlikely that Murray will change his mind.
Injuries have taken a toll on the veteran over the years, with the 37-year-old often forced to play through the pain.
Winning an Olympic gold would be a brilliant way for him to bow out, however.
Some feel it's written in the stars that Murray will add to his medal haul, having previously won gold at Olympics in 2012 and 2016.
But that's not something Murray believes, with the former world No 1 keen to stay focused.
“We were very lucky in the first match and today we weren’t," he admitted.
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Andy Murray has impressed playing alongside Dan Evans at the Olympics
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“The margins are so fine, we need to perform at a really high level in a couple of days’ time to go through.
“And you build confidence by winning matches like that and I think your opponents see that, that you’re coming back when you’re behind and that builds belief.
“But you can’t have that mentality of ‘Oh this is just going to happen now.’ We need to be switched on for the next one and let’s see what happens in a couple of days.”
Murray cried after his win with Evans.
Andy Murray is hoping to win a third gold medal of his career at the Olympics this summer
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Explaining his tears, he added: "Obviously it’s unbelievably emotional.
“You’re obviously unbelievably happy and then, I don’t know why it happens, it’s like happy tears. I was really emotional at the end of the match.
“Obviously extremely happy, excited that we managed to get through and another amazing finish so it takes a lot out of you that sort of stuff.
"I’m glad we get a day off tomorrow.”
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