Andy Murray has fired back at a BBC article questioning whether he is tarnishing his legacy by not retiring.
The Brit admits he is 'in a terrible moment' with his form but is not prepared to hang up his racket just yet.
Murray has already revealed that 2024 could be his final year on the professional tennis circuit.
His first-round exit against Tomas Martin Etcheverry at the Australian Open earlier this month only fuelled speculation he could soon call it a day.
Andy Murray has hit back at BBC journalist who questioned whether he was tarnishing his tennis legacy
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The 36-year-old has battled injury problems for several years and defied all odds to play again after hip surgery in 2017.
Murray was back in action on Monday at the Open Sud de France in Montpellier but again crashed out in the first round.
Despite winning the first set 6-2 against Benoit Paire, he lost the next two to exit the competition.
Murray has now failed to win a match at any of the last four singles tournaments he has entered.
An article from BBC journalist Kheredine Idessane was published on the broadcaster's website on Monday, posing the question of whether Murray was damaging his legacy.
The two-time Wimbledon champion saw the article and hit back in a fiery post on his X account.
Murray says he is different to most people and he will continue playing as long as he feels he can.
He wrote: "Tarnishing my legacy? Do me a favour. I’m in a terrible moment right now I’ll give you that.
"Most people would quit and give up in my situation right now. But I’m not most people and my mind works differently.
"I won’t quit. I will keep fighting and working to produce the performances I know I’m capable of."
Idessane replied to Murray's post, insisting he made it clear that the Scot is 'different' to other players.
He wrote: "Good to hear. As you’ll see in the piece, and my accompanying words on here, I’ve made it pretty clear you’re not ‘most people’."
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Andy Murray has fuelled speculation of retirement from tennis in recent months
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Former US Open champion Andy Roddick also replied to Murray's post, calling the BBC article 'dumb'.
The American wrote: "Preach! Imagine telling an accomplished iconic adult your opinion on what they should choose for work and when they should do it...
"This is such a dumb, thirsty article. Can’t take a legacy away. Accomplishment lives forever."
Many people in tennis see this year's Wimbledon as the perfect tournament for Murray to bow out of the sport.
After his Australian Open exit, Murray admitted there is a good chance he won't play at the Melbourne event again.
Andy Murray is not ready to hang up his racket just yet
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He said: "Definitely a possibility. Yeah, it’s a definite possibility that will be the last time I play here.
"I think probably because of how the match went and everything, I don’t know.
"Whilst you’re playing the match, you’re obviously trying to control your emotions, focus on the points and everything.
"When you’re one point away from the end, you’re like: ‘I can’t believe this is over so quickly, and like this.’
"In comparison to the matches that I played here last year, it’s the complete opposite feeling walking off the court."
