Tennis fans call for Andy Murray to retire after losing to Tomas Martin Etcheverry at Australian Open

Tennis fans call for Andy Murray to retire after losing to Tomas Martin Etcheverry  at Australian Open

WATCH NOW: Sports round-up as Andy Murray crashes out of Australian Open

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 15/01/2024

- 08:47

Updated: 15/01/2024

- 09:22

The Briton has exited the competition in the first round

Tennis fans have called for Andy Murray to retire after he was sent crashing out of the Australian Open by Tomas Martin Etcheverry on Monday morning.

The Briton had gone into the tournament hoping to show he's still got what it takes to play at the highest level.


Yet Murray struggled and looked a shadow of his old self Down Under as his opponent reigned supreme.

Etcheverry won 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 in just two hours and 23 minutes to book his place in the second round of the competition.

Andy Murray Australian Open

Andy Murray suffered a devastating defeat in the first round of the Australian Open on Monday morning

GETTY

And tennis fans on X have now expressed a belief that Murray should quit the sport.

"Yeah Andy Murray, it’s time to retire. Hang up that racket," said one user.

"Time to retire, unfortunately, Andy Murray," said a second.

A third said: "Andy Murray, it's time to retire mate."

A fourth weighed in by saying: "Andy Murray needs to retire. No way he can continue."

A fifth stated: "Andy Murray needs to retire. He is getting cooked."

And a sixth said: "Andy Murray has been amazing, a joy to watch, but he needs to just retire now."

Murray looked emotional as he trudged off the Australian Open court.

He paused as he waved goodbye to fans in attendance, perhaps soaking it all in for the very last time.

And it'll now be interesting to see what he decides next, especially given how he's suffered with injuries over the past few years.

Etcheverry spoke out after consigning Murray to defeat.

And he admitted that he relished playing against the Briton, dubbing Murray a 'legend'.

"It was an incredible match for me. It's very tough to play with a legend like Murray," he said.

"He's one of my idols. We play two times last year and there were long battles like this.

"Today I played incredible and I hope I can continue this level in the next match."

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Andy Murray tennis

Tennis fans think Andy Murray should retire after losing to Tomas Martin Etcheverry at the Australian Open

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On his hopes for the season, he added: "I want to keep going.

"I work so hard, need to improve a lot of things in my game and am trying to be in the top 20 this year."

Meanwhile, there was another Australian Open shock on Monday with Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova crashing out of the women's draw.

The 24-year-old won just three games against Dayana Yastremska as her hopes of another Grand Slam triumph went up in smoke.

And Yastremska paid tribute to the people of Ukraine following her triumph.

Tennis Tomas Martin Etcheverry

Tennis star Tomas Martin Etcheverry has dubbed Andy Murray a 'legend' after his win at the Australian Open

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“I’m very proud of Ukraine, proud of the people, proud of the warriors and just the civilians," she said.

“When I was in Brisbane, before my match the rocket arrived on my grandmother’s house so it was pretty hard to play, but I think we just need to remember about it and give as much support as possible to Ukraine.

"I’m proud to be Ukrainian.”

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