Former world No. 4 James Blake has praised Andy Murray and believes the Brit has the “right to do whatever he wants to do” for the remainder of his career.
The 10-time tour titlist urged the 2-time Wimbledon champion to play “as long as he can” if he enjoys it.
Murray recorded victories against Max Purcell and Lorenzo Sonego at last week’s ATP Masters 1000 event in Toronto to reach round of 16. The former #1 then pulled out of his match against eventual champion Jannik Sinner after sustaining an abdominal strain. The same has forced the Brit to withdraw from this week’s Cincinnati Masters, with the doubts surfacing about his participation at the New York major.
Currently ranked #36 in the world, Murray enjoys the highest ranking spot since undergoing hip surgeries. Blake who is a 3-time major quarterfinalist and won one of his three ties opposite Murray praised the 36-year-old’s love for the game and his will to continue.
“He’s earned the right to do whatever he wants to do,” said the American in an interview with Sky Sports.
“He’s such a great champion and the fact that he was always one of the hardest workers now coming back with a metal hip and still working as hard as he does and showing that he loves it, because he has no reason to, he’s already a first ballot hall of famer and one of the all-time greats.
“He probably has more money than he ever could spend in five lifetimes. He’s doing it because he loves the game so as long as he loves it, do what you love. You only have so long to do what you love and get paid for it and have fans while you’re doing it.
“So if he wants to continue enjoying it, go as long as he can and then enjoy the rest of your life. Our life is long after tennis too, which a lot of people don’t realize when you’re in that bubble of the world of tennis.”
Blake also discussed the different routes players take to retirement from their careers.
“The one thing that I love about our sport is there’s no path to get there. It’s a bunch of individuals. My path to get there was different than Andy Roddick’s path, different than Mardy Fish, different than everyone else’s,” explained Blake.
“It’s also the path on the exit. If you want to have fanfare and you want to have a two-year historic celebration, go for it. If you want to finish your last match walk up to the net and say I’m done, ride off into the sunset, that’s for you to decide.
“Andre [Agassi] had his speech at the Open. It was announced and everyone just knew that. Pete [Sampras] just kind of walked away and then had a celebration the next year. Both of them I think are happy in their post tennis life, so there’s no way one way to say okay this is the best way to do it.
“It’s the best way for you and whatever that is for Andy, I trust that he’ll make the decision with his family. He’s such a smart guy, he’s one of the nicest guys off the court. I know that’s sometimes hard to believe for people who watch him on the court. He’s the funniest most laidback guy off the court and also the most thoughtful.
“I think he’ll have plenty of time to think about it and talk with his wife and maybe by the time the kids are old enough they might make the decision too, by the time they’re teenagers. Because it seems like he’s not stopping any time soon.”