CURTAIN MUZ FALL
Andy ready to enjoy his Aussie exit DEGALE EYES QUIET LIFE AFTER RING
The Scot said he had been “very touched” by messages of support he has received from fans after announcing he will retire this year. The double Olympic champion wants to say farewell at Wimbledon but the pain in his hip could force him to stop after the first Grand Slam of the season.
Murray will face world No.23 Roberto Bautista Agut in the first round tomorrow, the Spaniard he has beaten in straight sets in their three previous meetings.
But the former world No.1, who has reached the final five times in Melbourne, admitted he accepts his 13th appearance here will not last long.
Murray, 31, said: “It will be tough walking out for what could be my last match. Lots of things have been weird. I know
I have got no chance of winning the tournament and I know most likely I’m going to lose in the first round here.
“I’m not happy about that but because of the way the last six months of competing has gone, I know it’s likely that
I won’t win and it’s going to uncomfortable.
“But if it is my last match I want to try to enjoy the JAMES DEGALE wants to become the forgotten man of boxing when he finally hangs up his gloves.
The two-time world super-middleweight champion (left) faces Chris Eubank Jr next month.
And he reckons he could fight twice more in 2019 with a long-awaited rematch against old foe George Groves finally on the cards.
But the Londoner, 32, knows he is in the twilight of his career. He said: “I’m fed up
ANDY MURRAY has predicted his own defeat in the first round of the Australian Open but says he will try to enjoy what could be his last ever match.
of getting punched in my head. People don’t understand the sacrifices, the running, the early mornings, the preparation. It’s draining.
“I don’t want anyone to think the hunger isn’t there, it is. I can’t wait to fight now.
“But I can see the finishing line and I’m not going to be one of those fighters who hangs around in boxing.
“After boxing, I want people to forget me. I just want to earn my money and be forgotten but keep the respect. I want to live my life. No celebrity jungle.
“I could have been bigger profile-wise but I’m not like that.”
If he beats Eubank then middleweight Billy Joe Saunders has been mooted as an opponent but Groves is the more likely option.
DeGale added: “Who wants to see me against Saunders? It has to be Eubank and then George Groves.”
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