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The stats tell a story of steady decline. He’s yet to win a match in three tournaments this year. He’s now gone out in the first round of six of his past seven events. In his past nine matches, Murray – one of the greatest competitors in the modern history of the game – has won just one. At what point does bravely soldiering on start to damage his legacy?<\/p>\n
Two Wimbledons, a US Open title, eight other Grand Slam finals and two Olympic gold medals make for quite the portfolio. He was also half the team that helped Dunblane – sorry, Great Britain – win the Davis Cup. As if all of that was not enough, he then won a tournament nine months after having a hip replaced, proving he can defy science as well as belief. To return to the top level of the tour in singles with a metal hip is unprecedented. It borders on the incredible to then win a title and reach two other finals.<\/p>\n
Since losing to Daniil Medvedev in the last of those in Doha last year, however, there has been a steady downturn. He has not won more than two matches at any tour-level event since. Murray’s world ranking peaked at 36, just short of a seeding at the Slams. He’s now about to drop out of the top 50 again.<\/p>\n
He’s entered three events in February: Marseille, Doha and Dubai. Given the level of his recent performances, he is surely now questioning whether all that time away from the family is really worth it.<\/p>\n
Safeguarding his own mental health must surely come into play alongside preserving his reputation. If he never hits another ball, his status as a great of the game, and a legend of British sport, is already secure.<\/p>\n
He has often compared the gladiatorial nature of tennis to boxing. The question is, how many more punches should Murray allow himself to take before hanging up the gloves on a glittering career?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n