Nick Kyrgios posts emotional message to Andy Murray as tributes pour in after retirement announcement

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  • Nick Kyrgios posted an emotional message to his “old friend” Andy Murray as tributes poured in following the Scot’s retirement announcement on Friday at Melbourne Park.

    Murray told reporters that the Australian Open could be his very last tournament, as he continues to suffer from pain in his “severely damaged hip”, although he hopes to be able to bid farewell to the sport at Wimbledon, where he made history for Great Britain by lifting the trophy there in 2013.

    Kyrgios, who has always had a close relationship with Murray, took to Instagram to pay tribute to his friend.

    “Andy, I know you take me for a joker most of the time, but at least hear me out on this one old friend,” read the message from the Aussie.

    “You will always be someone that impacted the sport in so many different ways, I know this was never the way you wanted to go out, but hey it was a heck of a ride. You took me under your wing as soon as I got on tour, and to this day you have been someone I literally just look forward to seeing. You are one crazy tennis player, miles better than me, but I just want you to know that today isn’t only a sad day for you and your team, it’s a sad day for the sport and for everyone you’ve had an impact on.

    “Which leaves me big fella.. these are a couple photos, that should make you smile and think, I was actually a little bit of a younger brother to you. Anyways, I just want you to know, and I’m sure you already do, everyone wants you to keep fighting and to keep being you. Good luck at the Australian Open muzz, I’ll be behind you. #onelastdance.”

    All the way from Argentina, Juan Martin del Potro, a player who is no stranger to the agony of injury, urged Murray to “keep fighting”.

    “Andy, just watched your conference. Please don’t stop trying. Keep fighting. I can imagine your pain and sadness. I hope you can overcome this. You deserve to retire on your own terms, whenever that happens. We love you @andy_murray and we want to see you happy and doing well,” tweeted Del Potro.

    Grigor Dimitrov also took to social media to wish Murray well, saying: “Tennis will come to an end for us all but the friendships will last a lifetime. What you’ve done for the sport will live on forever. I’m hoping for a strong and healthy finish for you, my friend!”


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    Andy, I know you take me for a joker most of the time, but at least hear me out on this one old friend. You will always be someone that impacted the sport in so many different ways, I know this was never the way you wanted to go out, but hey it was a heck of a ride. You took me under your wing as soon as I got on tour, and to this day you have been someone I literally just look forward to seeing. You are one crazy tennis player, miles better than me, but I just want you to know that today isn’t only a sad day for you and your team, it’s a sad day for the sport and for everyone you’ve had an impact on. Which leaves me big fella.. these are a couple photos, that should make you smile and think, I was actually a little bit of a younger brother to you. Anyways, I just want you to know, and I’m sure you already do, everyone wants you to keep fighting and to keep being you. Goodluck at the Australian Open muzz, I’ll be behind you. #onelastdance 🙌🏽🙏🏽

    A post shared by Kygs (@k1ngkyrg1os) on


    A former world No. 1, three-time Grand Slam champion, Davis Cup winner and Olympic gold medallist, Murray has ticked every box when it comes to accomplishments on the court. But to many, he is most appreciated for the character he was among the tennis community, and his support for the women’s tour and matters like equal pay in sport.

    He was a pioneer in many ways, especially when he hired Amelie Mauresmo as his coach – a decision that was met with mixed reaction from his home media. But Murray spoke out when people douted his choice of coach and made sure he called them out on their sexist views.

    “@andy_murray You are a champion on and off the court. So sorry you cannot retire on your own terms, but remember to look to the future. Your greatest impact on the world may be yet to come. Your voice for equality will inspire future generations. Much love to you & your family,” tweeted Billie Jean King.


    Serena Williams’ coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, who hosted Murray multiple times at his academy in France, described the Brit as “courageous”.

    “Of course everyone wants him to keep on playing because of who he is, his personality. He’s one of the only guys that stood up for things that he believed in, most of the time against most of the people, and he had the courage to do that. I think that sticks to his personality, and when we mention Andy Murray, when we look at Andy Murray, that’s what I think when I see him, someone very courageous, someone who had the courage to stand for what he believes in even though most of the people don’t,” Mouratoglou told Sport360.

    “And he’s an incredible champion, what he achieved, and he probably played the price of that also because the effort he made to become No. 1 was insane. He was playing almost every week, winning an incredible number of matches, fighting incredibly hard but he finally got what he wanted. At a time when you have the three most dominant champions of all time, so what he achieved is unbelievable.”

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