Andy Murray is proud of his French Open legacy after playing it for the last time, but has a 'problem' with comparisons to Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
British tennis legend Murray, it was widely expected that he would hang up his racket this year, dropped out in the first round against Stan Wawrinka in straight sets on Sunday.
Murray was don't expect a deep run to happen at the Grand Slam tournament, as he has only recently returned from an ankle injury and is not best suited to clay courts.
The 37-year-old is better known for his skills on grass and hard courts, having won two Wimbledon titles, the US Open and two Olympic gold medals.
Murray will end his career having never won the Roland-Garros trophy – the biggest tennis tournament on clay – with his best result coming in 2016.
That was the year Murray was at the height of his powers, finishing runner-up to Djokovic after losing the final in four sets.
Murray also reached the last four of the French Open in 2011, 2014, 2015 and 2017, losing twice to Nadal, once to Djokovic and once to Wawrinka.
Like Murray, Djokovic is not best known for his skills on clay – and the French Open is the Grand Slam where he has had the least success – but he has still managed to capture three Roland-Garros titles during his incredible career.
Nadal is now considered one of the greatest clay court players of all time and has no fewer than fourteen men's singles titles to his name in Paris.
Asked to reflect on his own French Open legacy after playing the tournament for the final time, Murray said: “Yes, I have done very well here over the years.
“You know, a lot of the results and things that I think are the problem for me is that if you compare it to what Rafa or Novak achieved in the same time, it's obviously miniscule in comparison.
'But yes, most players would sign up for the results I have achieved here. I played the final, I think four semi-finals and made it to the quarter-finals, I don't know, I don't know how many times, a few times maybe.
'Yes, lost in the semi-finals, I lost to Novak in five, Stan in five, and Rafa twice. Of course there is no shame in that.
'In a different time the results might have been slightly different. But yes, I am proud of the results I achieved here.
'I had beautiful memories. Like you said, it wasn't an easy surface for me. But I always showed up and put in some strong performances considering the circumstances.
“And yes, things have gone well here over the years.”
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