ANDY MURRAY has now retired from professional tennis, bringing an illustrious career to an end at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

The two-time Olympic singles champion bowed out following a straight-set defeat in the Olympic men’s doubles quarter-finals.

Murray, alongside partner Dan Evans, lost 6-2 6-4 to Americans Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul.

The Dunblane tennis icon had confirmed he would retire from the sport following the 2024 Olympic Games in the French capital.

Speaking to BBC News, he said: “Obviously it was emotional because it’s the last time I will play a competitive match.

“But I am genuinely happy just now. I’m happy with how it finished.

“I’m glad I got to go out here at the Olympics and finish on my terms because at time in the last few years that wasn’t a certainty.”

Murray played 1,001 singles matches in his career, going on to win 46 ATP titles and leading Britain to Davis Cup victory in 2015.

His career hit a bump when he was hit by a chronic hip injury, with Murray struggling to reach the levels he achieved in 2016 when he became world number one.

Following his retirement, tributes poured in thanking and congratulating him for an exemplary career in sport.

First Minister John Swinney posted on Twitter/X, saying: “Sir Andy Murray is Scotland’s greatest ever sportsman, and his achievements during one of the toughest eras in tennis history will mark him down as a true sporting legend.

“The whole of Scotland is so proud of Sir Andy and while we are disappointed that we will no longer get to see him compete with his trademark fighting spirit, we thank him for the incredible memories he gave us over so many years and wish him the very best for his well-earned retirement.”

Further tributes followed from Keir Starmer, Sadiq Khan, Greg James and his mother Judy Murray, who shared a photo of her son during his first tennis match aged five.