British fans should savour Andy Murray this Wimbledon, says Rusedski

By Mohamed Hamza

Greg Rusedski urged British fans to savour every moment of Andy Murray’s Wimbledon campaign as the two-time champion edges closer to retirement.

Murray has not yet put a date on his farewell but recently said it would be fitting to hang up his racket after Wimbledon and the Olympics.

He is even teaming up with brother Jamie in the men’s doubles at Wimbledon for the first time and has been selected for a fifth Olympics by Team GB – his main goal for the year.

While the days of Murray being in contention to win Grand Slams and Olympic gold medals may be in the rear-view mirror, Rusedski reckons the Scot can bag a few statements wins this summer and go out with a bang.

"He has nothing to prove in his career,” said Rusedski, who attended Pickleball England’s Pickleball Slam alongside former British No.1 Johanna Konta, and top British pickleball players Louis Laville, Thaddea Lock, James Chaudry & Pei-Chuan Kao in Kingston.

“He is a double Olympic gold medallist, two-time Wimbledon champion, US Open champion, he’s basically the most decorated British male tennis player in the Open era and he should be very proud of his career.

"I think people should savour him this Wimbledon because this could be his last Wimbledon. If he could win a few rounds, it would be fantastic.

"If he got to the fourth round in the second week, that would be sensational.

“You’ve got to take each match as it comes and hope for the best. He’s already done his service for British tennis, winning the Davis Cup as well and everything he’s achieved."

Murray suffered a worrying knee injury in March but has recovered in time to rubber-stamp his ticket to the Olympics and play the grass-court season.

Having retired in 2007, Rusedski is all too familiar with the doubts and uncertainties that come with the end of your playing career and the ex-professional had some advice for Murray on what comes next.

Rusedski added: "It’s about finding things, whether in tennis or out of tennis. He’s got options and time to spend with family, having a lovely wife and four kids. That’s a massive thing having a consistent lifestyle rather than being on the road 30 weeks a year.

"He can do what he wants to. He’s achieved everything in this sport. Now it’s about enjoying the rest of your life and finding other passions you can get involved with, whether it’s business or sport or whatever it is.

"The world’s his oyster to do whatever he’d like to do with it."

Rusedski has tried many things since retiring 17 years ago but has become hooked on pickleball, one of the fastest-growing racket sports in the world.

The 1997 US Open finalist is involved with Pickleball England as an ambassador and expressed his excitement for what the future holds for the sport.

He added: "I’m 50 now and in America, pickleball’s grown a lot. It’s very sociable, it’s a lot of fun and it's growing in this country. It’s very fun, very competitive.

"I got involved because I like the sport and I want to be on this journey from the beginning because I’m sure it’ll have a fantastic growth."