Murray hints at calling it a day

– Andy Murray (right) suggested he may retire within the next “few months” after winning his opening match in Dubai.

The former world No 1 battled back from a set down to beat Denis Shapovalov 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 and reach the second round.

The 36-year-old, who snapped a six-match losing streak in Doha last week before going out against Czech teenager Jakub Mensik, told the BBC last December that 2024 could be his final year on the ATP Tour.

“I probably don’t have too long left but I’ll do as best as I can these last few months,” said Murray this week.

“I still love competing and still love the game. Obviously, it gets harder and harder the older you get to compete with the young guys and keep your body fit and fresh.”

Murray appeared to say to his player’s box during his gruelling loss to Mensik last week that “this game is not for me anymore”, but he played down those comments.

“People read a lot into what I say on the court sometimes and it’s not always rational,” he added. “But everyone asks me about it all the time anyway.”

Murray clinched his 500th win on hard courts, joining Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Andre

Agassi and Rafael Nadal in reaching the milestone.

“Yeah, it’s not bad (500 hardcourt wins). Hard courts have been a great surface for me over the years... I’m very proud of that.”

Murray struggled to contain a powerful first-set display from former top-10 player Shapovalov, who is searching for his best form after missing the end of last season through injury.

But the three-time Grand Slam champion edged a second-set tiebreak before easing through the decider with a double-break.

The Briton has not reached the quarterfinals at an ATP event for over a year.