Australian Open: “strongly possible” that veteran Murray experienced his last in Melbourne

Five-time finalist in a tournament he never won, the former world No.1 and now 44th was beaten in three sets 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 by the Argentinian Tomas Etcheverry ( seeded N.30 and 32nd in the world), therefore only scoring eight games. “Yes, it is very possible that this will be the last time that I play here,” declared the Scot to the press after the match. “Compared to the matches I played here last year, it's a completely opposite feeling coming off the court. I would have liked to involve the public more. I'm disappointed with the way I played. It’s hard, hard to end like this.”

While he had already hinted at the end of December that this year could be his last on the circuit, Andy Murray confided that he had “not made a final decision”. But “it’s obviously something I have to think about,” he added. “Today's match did not allow me to think that at some point I will start playing well again, winning tournaments or reaching the final stages of major competitions,” added the two-time winner of Wimbledon (2013, 2016), who saw his preparation disrupted by injuries and other health problems. “It was very difficult for me to play against a tennis legend like Andy,” Etcheverry said after his victory. The Argentinian will meet the Frenchman Gaël Monfils (76th) in the second round, the winner of this duel being promised to the world No.1, the Serbian Novak Djokovic, in the round of 32.