Warriors told to keep sights on own Euro battle
sets we played. I guess everybody can understand where he comes from. At some point when you feel like you’re never going to get back to 100 per cent, you’ve had the success Andy has had, you can only understand the decision.
“I was disappointed and sad, a little bit shocked, to know now that we’re going to lose him at some point.
“But we’re going to lose everybody at some point. It’s just now it’s definite.”
Federer was on the other side of the net when Murray won Olympic gold at Wimbledon in 2012 – a precursor to his two Grand Slam titles at SW19.
“Of course it hits us top guys hard because we know Andy very well. We like him. He doesn’t have many enemies, to be quite honest. He’s a good guy, hall of famer, legend. He won everything he wanted to win.
“Anybody would substitute their career with his. He’s a great guy. It’s a tough one but one down the road he can look back on and be incredibly proud of everything he has achieved.”
While Murray made it through their charity clash at the Hydro, it was a practice match against Novak Djokovic last Thursday that laid bare his struggles.
The Serb said: “You didn’t need to be on court to notice he’s struggling, that he’s not moving as well as he normally does.
“We’ve seen so many years of Andy being one of the fittest guys on the Tour, running around the court, getting always an extra ball back. To that extent we are kind of similar.
“Obviously to see him struggle so much and go through so much pain, it’s very sad and it hurts me as his longtime friend, colleague, rival. I’ve nurtured a very good relationship with him on and off the court. I’m proud to have that kind of relationship that will go on hopefully for many more years, regardless of whether we get to play against each other or not, whether he continues playing, whatever happens. He’s a great champion.
“He’s a legend of this sport, without a doubt – multiple Grand Slam winner, two golds from Olympic Games, Davis Cup.
“He’s had it all. He touched us all definitely. I wish him a painless future in whatever shape or form that is, on or off the court.” GLASGOW..33 CARDIFF..24 DAVE RENNIE insists his Warriors need to forget about rivals Edinburgh doing them a favour and focus on bagging a Euro knockout spot on their own.
Glasgow limped towards a Champions Cup quarter-final with a bonus-point victory blighted by injuries to breakaway stars Callum Gibbins and Matt Fagerson.
A Gunners win over Montpellier on Friday would not only fire them through but almost certainly see Glasgow join them as one of the best pool runners-up.
But head coach Rennie said: “I don’t want to get caught up in that logjam.
“I want us to go down to Saracens and get what we need to get to the knockout stage by our own merits.”
Fagerson exited with shoulder damage five minutes in before a further back-row setback when Gibbins joined him on the sidelines with an ankle problem.
But Rennie said: “Losing guys is par for the course. We have plenty of depth in the squad and there are experienced boys ready to come in if required.”
Grant Stewart and Scott Cummings crossed only for Cardiff to create a try out of nothing as Owen Lane reduced Glasgow’s half-time cushion to 14-5.
Chris Fusaro, on for Gibbins, and Oil Kebble grabbed tries either side of Lane’s second to open an 18-point advantage.
But Josh Navidi sneaked over then Lane to sound alarm bells only George Horne’s try two minutes from time could silence.
Rennie said: “We did a good job in difficult conditions. With the wind at our backs we had wanted to put them away before half-time.
“But that didn’t happen and Cardiff grew legs to make things harder.
“It was a big relief when George went over though I didn’t see much of the try because my assistant Jon Humphreys jumped on to my lap to celebrate.”