Andy admits: I’m looking forward to the end now

ANDY MURRAY said he is ‘looking forward to the end now’ after his painful defeat by Tomas Machac in Miami.

The 36-year-old has effectively confirmed this will be his last year on tour and was visibly moved as he left the court at an event he has won twice — and in a city which has hosted so many of his famously gruelling pre-season training camps. ‘I wasn’t thinking about all the matches I played,’ said the Scot after his 5-7, 7-5, 7-6 loss. ‘More that that’s the last match I am going to play here which is sad because I love it here. I’ve spent so much of my career here and I would have liked it to go on a little bit longer. This tournament is an important one for me so it was a bit more emotional leaving the court. ‘I am looking forward to the end now, give my best the next few months and get to be at home with my family.’ Murray played some of his best tennis in recent months in Miami and looked the better player early on against Machac. But a rain delay sapped his momentum and a rolled ankle snuffed out his late surge. ‘It’s been pretty positive, there were good signs in my game, definitely an improvement on the last few tournaments,’ said Murray. ‘Not perfect but, considering everything, to be winning matches against the players I did and pushing Tomas like I did, I’m proud of myself because it’s extremely difficult to do what I’m doing with the issue I have.

‘To still be able to compete with these guys is a credit to myself and the work I’ve put in to keep myself in this position.’ Murray took the rare decision to play doubles this week, with American Seb Korda. But the pair withdrew last night, presumably due to Murray’s ankle injury. He will look to recover soon and get some matches on the clay as he hopes to play the French Open for the first time since 2020.