Murray eyes swansong at Olympics to end career

SIR Andy Murray confirmed he is set to retire this summer after losing to Ugo Humbert in the second round of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.

Murray, pictured, produced his best win for several months in the first round by seeing off Denis Shapovalov but fell to a 6-2 6-4 loss against 18th-ranked Frenchman Humbert.

The 36-year-old said of his future: “I’m likely not going to play past this summer.

“I get asked about it after every single match that I play, every single tournament that I play. I’m bored of the question, to be honest.

“I’m not going to talk more about that between now and whenever the time comes for me to stop. But, yes, I don’t plan on playing much past this summer.”

Murray has not won more than a single match at any tournament since August.

After beating Shapovalov, he talked about trying to do his best “these last few months”.

Murray has said previously he has an idea of when he would like to bow out. He told Radio 4’s Today programme: “When the time is right I will probably say something before I play my last match and my last tournament.”

While Wimbledon appears the most logical venue for Murray to call time on his glittering career, he is tempted by another crack at the Olympics in Paris.

Murray is the only tennis player to have won back-to-back singles gold medals, in London and Rio. He said: “Hopefully I can get the chance to compete at another one.”

If the Scot does not qualifying by ranking – he has slipped down the standings to 67 – he could seek a spot in the draw as a previous champion.

Murray dropped serve twice in succession in the opening set against Humbert and was unable to apply any real pressure on his opponent’s delivery, winning just seven return points.

The second set was a little closer but Murray cut a thoroughly frustrated figure, ranting at himself and smacking the umpire’s chair with his racket, as he attempted to trade with the clean-hitting Frenchman, who clinched victory after only an hour-and-a-half.

SAUDI Arabia has strengthened its tennis ties after announcing a partnership with the ATP.

The “multi-year” agreement will see the Public Investment Fund (PIF) become the naming partner of the rankings.

PIF will also be a partner on a number of ATP Tour events at Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid, Beijing and Turin.

“The ATP partnership forms part of PIF’s broader sponsorship platform, investing in people, projects and partnerships with an emphasis on inclusivity, sustainability, youth and technology,” a press statement read.