Tim Henman thinks the 2024 season ‘might’ be Andy Murray’s last on the professional tour but recognised the Scot is ‘still so motivated’ to compete.
After a frustrating year, Murray admitted in October that he was struggling to enjoy tennis after crashing out of the Paris Masters in the first round.
No stranger to injuries, Murray was then forced to withdraw from Great Britain’s Davis Cup team which only increased speculation as to whether retirement was on the horizon for the three-time Grand Slam champion.
When asked whether 2024 could be the last year Murray spends on the ATP Tour, Henman told Eurosport: ‘’I think it might be. I don't know. He's the only one that really knows that.
‘’But look, he's still so motivated. I've seen him practising at the National Tennis Centre at Roehampton.
“He's out there putting in the hours on the court, in the gym, and I just hope he can get some rewards for all that time and effort.
‘’At the end of last year, it didn't look like he was enjoying himself on the court. His attitude wasn't good.
“At this stage of his career, you want him to be out there not only having some good results, but enjoying himself. He's not going to be playing professional tennis forever.
“I think for me, the wish list for Andy Murray is for him to play well and have some good wins and enjoy himself. So, yeah, fingers crossed.’’
With the Australian Open just weeks away, talk turned to Murray’s display of his trademark perseverance and grit in Melbourne this year after he came out on top of two consecutive five-set thrillers against Matteo Berrettini and Thanasi Kokkinakis before bowing out to Roberto Bautista Agut in the third round.
‘’I think it just epitomised his fighting spirit," Henman said.
"He's just out on the court with a metal hip, still with the hunger and desire and determination to find a way to win.’’
Murray is set to kickstart his season by competing in the Brisbane International in January, which will act as a crucial preparation for the first major of the year.
‘’I think he's moving better than he was then and I think he can play better as well,’’ Henman added.
"Perhaps if the schedule is a little bit kinder and the weather is a bit warmer, he can have a good run and that's what he's putting all the work in the gym for.’’
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