Tennis news - Andy Murray's magic moments: Grand Slams, Olympic golds, and world No. 1

Updated 11/01/2019 at 11:31 GMT

Andy Murray broke down in tears on Friday as he revealed that he will end his career this year following a lengthy battle to overcome a hip injury.

Andy Murray holds the Wimbledon trophy for the second time

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The former world number one has been plagued by the setbacks for more than 18 months, undergoing surgery in Melbourne a year ago, but was forced to admit in an emotional press conference that his efforts have not been enough.

Should next week's Australian Open, live on Eurosport, be his final act, Murray would be bringing the curtain down on a glittering career that has gripped British sporting fans, from his early years as a teenager at Wimbledon to lifting the trophy twice. There have been no shortage of magic moments en route to reaching the pinnacle of his sport.

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As the 31-year-old prepares for what could be his last ever tournament in Melbourne, Eurosport reflects on his glorious career.

1. US Junior Open champion , 2004

A fresh-faced Andy Murray celebrates his US Junior Open success in 2004

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Murray's first test of courage came as a 17-year-old when he fought to overcome a knee injury in the first six months of 2004 to declare himself fit for the Junior US Open.

His potential shone through as Sergiy Stakhovsky of Ukraine was defeated 6–4, 6–2 in the final, adding to the early claims that he could one day dominate the sport.

It was all the more impressive given that Murray had achieved something not even Tim Henman had on his résumé. Indeed, the last time Britain had a junior Grand Slam champion was 1993, when James Baily lifted the Australian Open crown.

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Murray showed his ambitions back then, with his post-match interview indicating he already had bigger fish to fry with his sights on the main tour.

"Getting to a Grand Slam junior final is a great achievement," he said. "But it's not the most important thing. I want to go on to achieve other things. There will be a lot of attention, but I don't think I'll be like some other Brits. I don't think it will affect me. I don't feel any pressure so I think I can go on without any blips."

2. Turning professional, 2005

Murray is consoled by David Nalbandian after his Wimbledon loss in 2005

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Murray became the youngest Briton to play in the Davis Cup the following year while he was handed a wild card entry for the Barcelona Open, where he was defeated in three sets to Jan Hernych. It represented a start, however, meaning his return to the boys' game at the French Open again underlined his credentials amongst his age-level peers.

Marin Cilic defeated him at Roland Garros in the semi-finals but his performance was enough to earn him a wild card for the main draw at Wimbledon, where he reached the third round before a defeat to 2002 finalist David Nalbandian, retiring with cramp having led by two sets to love.

Later that year, Murray's victory over Henman in their first meeting at the Basel Swiss Indoors represented a changing of the guard with his leap from world number 407 to 64 underlining the giant strides he was making in the game.

3. Ending Roger's record, 2006

Victory for Murray over Roger Federer came in 2006

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2006 was another milestone year for Murray, as having surpassed Henman in the world rankings, he became one of only two players, along with Rafael Nadal, to defeat Roger Federer in the calendar year.

The Swiss was on a 55-match winning streak when Murray brought his run to an end at the Cincinnati Masters. Despite exiting at the hands of Andy Roddick, his victory over Federer was enough to move him into the world's top 20 for the first time in his career.

Roddick would become his first top-10 scalp in California whilst Leyton Hewitt was also vanquished as Murray claimed the SAP Open title.

4. First Grand Slam final, 2008

Murray had to settle for the runner-up plate at the 2008 US Open

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After an injury-interrupted 2007 in which tendon damage at the German Open led to him missing Wimbledon, the now British number one returned with a new coach the following year as Miles Maclagan was leading a team of experts that helped him overcome disappointments at the Australian and French Open to reach his first Grand-Slam quarter final at Wimbledon.

Britain had waited a long time to celebrate having a representative in a Grand Slam final, but Murray ended an 11-year absence stretching back to Greg Rusedski in 1997 by emulating his achievement in reaching the US Open final, where he was beaten in straight sets to Federer.

5. Olympic champion, 2012

Murray enjoyed gold success at London 2012

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Miami Open success in the 2009 final over Novak Djokovic added to the growing belief that Murray would one day end Britain's wait for a Grand Slam champion.

Another runner-up place would ensue at the Australian Open in 2010, while his 2012 loss to Federer in four sets at Wimbledon added to the agony that was now synonymous with following British tennis stars. But then came the ecstasy of the London Olympics.

With Ivan Lendl now his full-time coach, Murray dropped just a single set on his way to facing the Swiss machine Federer in the final. There would be no repeat of the setback earlier in the summer as the then 25-year-old became the first British male to win the Olympic singles gold medal since Josiah Ritchie in 1908.

6. US Open champion, 2012

Murray enjoys his first Grand Slam triumph at the US Open

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Not content with his gold medal, Murray carried his good form to Flushing Meadows defeating Novak Djokovic to become the first British man since Fred Perry in 1936 to win a Grand Slam singles title.

Murray, who was now the world number three, broke down on the court after winning 7-6 (12-10) 7-5 2-6 3-6 6-2 in four hours 54 minutes in the Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Andy's brother Jamie led the celebrations, saying: "What a historic night! Tonight Andy achieved his dream. He got the result his talent, dedication and perseverance deserved. So proud of him."

7. Wimbledon champion, 2013

Who can forget the moment Murray broke down after his 2013 Wimbledon success

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Murray's tense third set tiebreak with Djokovic in the final will go down in the annals of Wimbledon history as the Serbian's ominous comeback was quashed. Having divided opinion among the wider British public in his early years, SW19 was awash with joyous scenes as Britain's 77-year wait for a men's champion was over.

It took a fourth championship point in a gut-wrenching final game, but then the moment arrived as 15,000 expectant fans rose to their feet to salute Murray as Djokovic slapped a backhand into the net to seal a 6-4 7-5 6-4 victory for Murray.

8. Davis Cup glory, 2015

Murray is hoisted aloft as Great Britain clinch the 2015 Davis Cup

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After 2014 had begun with surgery to fix an ongoing back problem and ended with two semi-final exits at Grand Slams, Murray returned to his best form in 2015 to clinch the Davis Cup for Great Britain against Belgium in the final.

The USA, France and Australia were defeated along the way, with Murray in superlative form throughout, and his lob on match point to defeat David Goffin proved the decisive moment as Britain's 79-year wait to reclaim the Davis Cup came to an end.

9. Third Grand Slam success, 2016

Murray always felt in control as he clinched a second Wimbledon title in 2016

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Djokovic avenged his 2013 Wimbledon final defeat to deny Murray in the Australian Open final, and he continued his hold on the same opponent at the French Open to win 3–6, 6–1, 6–2, 6–4 in the final at Roland Garros.

It extended Murray's incredible record of having been the underdog in each of his 10 Grand Slam finals - but in the position as favourite when faced with Milos Raonic at Wimbledon, he made up for his two near misses earlier in the year to toast a third Grand Slam triumph.

Murray said: "I've had some great moments here, but also some tough losses. The win feels extra special because of the tough losses."

10. Double gold Olympian at Rio, 2016

Murray continued his excellent 2016 with gold at the Rio Olympics

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Having produced sublime tennis on the grass of Wimbledon, Murray converted his form onto the hard court as Juan Martin Del Potro was finally defeated in a brutal gold-medal match in Rio de Janeiro.

Four years after beating Federer, Murray defeated Del Potro in an epic final 7-5 4-6 6-2 7-5 that lasted four hours and two minutes. The tense finale was too much for some.

It was the first time in the history of Olympic tennis that a men's singles champion had managed to retain his title.

11. ATP World Tour Finals success, 2016

Murray moved up to world number one with victory at the O2 Arena

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Not satisfied with Wimbledon success and Olympic gold, Murray ended 2016 as the world number one as he defeated Djokovic 6-3 6-4 to clinch victory in the ATP Tour Finals.

In overcoming the five-time champion at the O2 Arena, it felt like the moment in which it was unanimously held that Murray was the best player in the world heading into 2017.

In beating the Serbian, Murray extended his career-best winning run to 24 matches, and he said: "I'm very happy to win and to be world number one is very special. It's very special playing against Novak in a match like this."

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