Andy Murray reveals his tennis game is 'DIABOLICAL' after retiring as British icon opens court named after him at Queen's - and shares his poignant connection to this week's inaugural women's tournament

Daily Mail​

3 days ago

Andy Murray rued his 'diabolical' tennis game nearly a year on from his retirement as the two-time Wimbledon winner opened the newly named Andy Murray Arena at The Queen's Club on Monday morning.
The three-time Grand Slam winner hung up his racquet after a battling performance at last summer's Paris Olympics alongside Dan Evans, with the veteran duo reaching the quarter-finals in heroic fashion before their defeat to American duo Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul.
Murray opted not to rest on his laurels in the early stages of his retirement, and shocked the tennis world when he announced that his joining the coaching team of former rival Novak Djokovic ahead of the Australian Open.
Although he and the 24-time Grand Slam winner were able to reach the quarter-finals after a statement win against Carlos Alcaraz, Djokovic was forced to retire due to injury in his semi-final versus Alexander Zverev.
The pair split ahead of the French Open after a dip in form and a number of first-round exits at the start of the clay season.
But Murray admitted that he has a 'new life now' and that he was enjoying a break from the sport one month on from leaving the Djokovic camp as he inaugurated the Centre Court on the first day of the new WTA 500 tournament in west Kensington.
'I've obviously missed being out here, having not been involved in a grass court season for a while,' Murray said in front to the delighted audience after he took to the court through a ballgirl guard of honour.
Instead of tennis courts, Murray's chosen turf is now that of the golf course, as he lamented reaching the final stage of his club championships and falling short at the last.
'Unfortunately, I was tied second going into the final day, but, yeah, didn't get it done,' Murray said. 'But I'll come back next year and try again. But yeah, playing good golf, and enjoying that, and spending as much time with the family and kids as they can.'
The 38-year-old also revealed his special connection to the women's tournament, which marks the first time that a similar event has been played at Queen's since 1973.
'I think it's brilliant,' Murray said of the tournament. 'I actually just met the last winner (in 1973), Olga Morozova, who actually coached me when I was 12, 13, years old.
'I think it's a great chance for the women to showcase themselves out here, and you got some great players.'
Murray's eponymous court will always remain his happiest hunting ground; Queen's was his most successful tournament, where he won six combined titles in singles and doubles.
The 38-year-old admitted that his focus is now fully on golf as he spoke of his disappointment at missing out on his local club championships
'This tournament, was where I won my first match on the ATP Tour, it was my most successful event, and I always loved coming back here at the start of the British summer,' Murray continued, adding with his trademark deadpan delivery that he was very grateful to 'whoever it was that decided to name the stadium'.
Murray ended the event with a hit-up with tournament director and former British No1 Laura Robson, and two juniors from Greenhouse Sports and The Queen's Club Foundation.
But, Murray warned the crowd, his tennis is 'diabolical nowadays' - although the former British No1 was able to hold his own nicely in the brief rally.