World sends heartfelt messages to retiring Murray
Andy Murray announced on Friday that he'll be retiring from tennis at some point this season—best-case scenario at Wimbledon, but earlier if his hip injury proves too painful.
The great champion and overall well-liked guy he is, Murray naturally received an outpouring of supportive messages on social media from admirers all over the world.
"That was kind of the first time I kind of came out and let everyone know how bad it's been and tough," Murray said. "I felt a lot better after that. But obviously, like, the reaction, I was really surprised. I genuinely was not expecting it to be like that at all."
His tennis-playing peers were perhaps the most in awe of his amazing career, having witnessed so closely all that the Scot has given to the sport.
Juan Martin del Potro, who's had his own struggles with injuries and pain, could relate to Murray on a visceral level.
And Nick Kyrgios, who saw Murray as a mentor, didn't hold back any earnestness.
Analysts, unsurprisingly, had the utmost praise for the three-time Slam champion:
And fans, stunned and heartbroken, shared both their love and their sadness:
Murray took the court on Monday against No. 22-seeded Roberto Bautista Agut, falling in four sets.
It's uncertain what will be in store for Murray beyond Melbourne, but he'll surely remain one of the most revered figures in tennis.
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