Andy Murray drops another major retirement hit after beating Denis Shapovalov in the first round of the Dubai Open as British star admits he probably doesn’t ‘have too long left’

Andy Murray gave his clearest indication yet that this will be the final season of his extraordinary career, saying he has only ‘a few months’.

Ironically the comment came after one of his better wins for some time, a comeback win against former world No 10 Denis Shapovalov in Dubai.

‘I probably don’t have too long left but I’ll do as best as I can these last few months,’ said the 36-year old Scot after a 4-6, 7-6, 6-3 win.

‘I still love competing and still love the game but it gets harder and harder to compete the older you get, to keep your body fit and fresh.’

Murray was on a six match losing streak before a first-round win in Doha last week. He then lost to 18-year-old Jakub Mensik, falling to 67th in the world as a result, and appeared to tell his box ‘this game is not for me any more’. 

Asked about those comments in Dubai, Murray said: ‘People read a lot into what I say on the court and it’s not always rational.’

But it is clear retirement is on his mind, as he admitted at the Australian Open, saying: It’s a definite possibility that will be the last time I play here. I haven’t made any definite decisions but I’ve spoken to my family. They’re very aware of how I feel, where I would like to finish playing, when that would be.’

It seems a safe assumption that July at Wimbledon — where he is twice a champion — is the target for his swansong, and the timeline of ‘a few months’ would fit.

Murray produced a battling display as he managed to beat Shapovalov 4-6 7-6 (5) 6-3

Although Murray could pull the plug earlier that than if he feels his form is not up to it. In that context this was a good win, and his 500th on a hard court — an accolade shared only with Andre Agassi and the big three of Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal. 

‘Hard courts have been a great surface for me over the years and 500 is a lot of matches,’ said Murray. ‘So yeah, I’m very proud of that. It’s great to get that before I’m done.

The 36-year-old also hinted at retirement after his early exit from the Australian Open