Billie Jean King has made her stance clear amid ongoing speculation about Andy Murray’s potential retirement.
Murray has faced a challenging start to his 2024 season, with four consecutive losses and no wins so far.
His latest defeat came at the hands of Tomas Machac in the opening round of the Open 13 tournament in Marseille, France. In total, Murray has lost nine of his last 10 matches since the 2023 Zhuhai Championships, prompting some to question his future in the sport.
BBC Scotland sports broadcaster Kheredine Idessane recently addressed Murray’s disappointing results, sparking discussions about the timing of his potential retirement.
“All good things come to an end, of course. So when should @andy_murray call time on his extraordinary career?” Idessane wrote on X.
In his article, he suggested that Murray may be “damaging” his legacy with his recent performances.
“The stats tell a story of steady decline,” he wrote about the former World No. 1. “At what point does bravely soldiering on start to damage his legacy?”
Despite the concerns raised, several figures in the tennis world, including Andy Roddick, Martina Navratilova, and Rennae Stubbs, rushed to Murray’s defense. Billie Jean King, a twelve-time Grand Slam singles champion and revolutionary figure in tennis, also shared her perspective on the matter.
“When should @andy_murray decide to end his incredible career? When he decides it’s time,” she wrote on X.
King, who ended her singles career in 1983 at almost 40 years old, emphasized the importance of autonomy in Murray’s decision-making process.
“Andy Murray loves tennis, and should do what he wants, when he wants to do it,” she remarked about the 36-year-old player.
