Andy Murray and Dan Evans pull off heroic comeback at Paris Olympics to delay retirement
Andy Murray has delayed retirement for at least one more match after a heroic comeback alongside Dan Evans at the Paris Olympics.
The two-time Wimbledon champion took to the court at Roland Garros alongside his fellow Brit as they tried to secure doubles glory for Team GB at the Paris Olympics.
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Despite an early scare, they earned a 2-6 7-6 11-10 win to advance past Japanese pair Taro Daniel and Kei Nishikori - surviving five match points in the process.
A torrid first set meant that Murray and Evans faced a huge uphill task, before a spirited display in the second set put the clash back in the balance.
However in a third-set tie-break, Murray and Evans secured their spot in the next round.
It means that Murray will play at least one more match before hanging up his racket for good.
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Speaking after the match, Murray said: “It’s brilliant. I’ve loved being part of this event and the buildup to it – I went to opening ceremony, it was great fun being there with the team.
“When you’re on the boat going through the city it was really special.
“I’ve loved being around the British team and around the village and the best athletes in the world so I’m delighted to be here for a few more day.”
Murray added: “It was a really difficult match. We didn’t play that well for the majority of the match but at times when it clicked we played unbelievably.
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“We’re going to have to improve if we’re going to go further but I think we will.
“I was certainly nervous – I’m not sure if Dan was, but he’d played a long game in singles earlier in the day so.
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“I actually felt fine going into the match, but when we went onto the court and we went behind and I wasn’t feeling that good or serving well then you feel it.
“You’re getting very close to the end and doubles matches can get away from you very quickly so I was feeling it in the middle of the match, but I locked in and focused which was not easy considering we were a point away from the end five times in a row – it’s not easy to come through that.”
Murray had ambitions of competing in the singles events at Paris 2024, but announced on Thursday that he wouldn't be taking part.
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It comes just weeks after he made a tearful exit from Wimbledon as he was given a hero's reception on centre court from fans and tennis stars alike.
The 37-year-old has enjoyed the sort of career that many can only dream of, having won three grand slams and reaching world number one in 2016.
He also won 46 ATP titles and two Olympic gold medals in 2012 and 2016, along with a silver medal alongside Laura Robson at London 2012.
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