Five-time Australian Open finalist Andy Murray fell to Tomas Martin Etcheverry 6-4, 6-2 and 6-2 in straight sets as he crashed out of the first slam of 2024 in Melbourne on Monday.
Murray, 36, was outplayed and dominated by the Argentinian in all aspects of the game and might just have played his last match at the Australian Open.
While there had been serious concerns about Murray’s form, no one expected him to lose in straight sets that too in the first round.
Murray lost his fourth match in a row dating back to October and tasted his seventh defeat in the last eight matches overall, which is the worst run of his career.
This was the first time since 2008 the Scot suffered a first-round defeat at the Australian Open as he last lost to Roberto Bautista Agut in a five-setter.
Murray had earlier expressed that 2024 may be his last season saying that if he sees his body isn’t responding to the demanding conditions, he will retire.
"If I was in a situation like I was at the end of last year, then I probably wouldn't go again," Murray told BBC Sport earlier.
"But then if physically I'm doing well and my results are good and I'm playing well, then that's enjoyable, and I could see myself still playing. We'll see how the year goes, see how the body holds up. If things are going well, I'd love to keep going. But if they're not, and I'm not enjoying it, it could be the last year, yes."
As everything stands, with the Scot knocked out of the first slam of the year, this might be his last year and may join his compatriot Rafael Nadal, who also indicated that 2024 may be his last year.
