Best of 2024
Murray's emotional meltdown amid 2024 farewell
ATPtour.com starts looking back at retirement in 2024
December 07, 2024
Carl De Souza/AFP via Getty Images
Andy Murray has retired from the Olympics in Paris 2024.
By ATP staff
To mark the end of another sensational season, ATPtour.com presents our annual 'Best Of' series, which will showcase the most impressive rivalries, matches, comebacks, upsets and more.
Today we take a look back at some of the biggest names who called time on their playing careers this year. Andy Murray headlines Part 1 of this story, with Dominic Thiem and Rafael Nadal appearing in Part 2 on Sunday.
Andy Murray
Scot bowed out in the most Murray-esque way imaginable. Playing twice at the Olympics in Paris, he won the gold medal in singles and doubles with Daniel Evans. The pair won their first match against Taro Daniel and Kei Nishikori by saving five points in a row at 4/9 in the Match Tie-break to take the win.
Murray and Evans did not complete their remarkable comeback. They extended the career of former World No. 1 Murray by surviving two sets against Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen in the second round before losing in the quarter-finals. After winning both, Murray celebrated as if he had just won a gold medal, the last demonstration of what the game always means to the 46-time tour-level champion.
Against all odds, #SirAndy 😤@andy_murray pic.twitter.com/zKm0GUDJXO
– ATP Tour (@atptour) August 2, 2024
Murray spent 41 weeks as No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings, claimed three major titles and won 739 singles titles in his impressive career. The big change came in 2012, when he captured the Olympic gold medal on the grass court of Wimbledon.
Later that summer he captured his first major title, the 2012 US Open, defeating Novak Djokovic in a five-set final. The match lasted four hours, 54 minutes – tied for the second longest US Open final in history.
The following year Murray ended Great Britain's 77-year wait for a home men's singles title at Wimbledon. This was the day the BBC said “turned Murray into a Wimbledon champion and a national treasure”. Winning Wimbledon isn't the only thing Murray has done for Great Britain. In 2015, he led the British team to their first Davis Cup victory since 1936.
The 37-year-old will be remembered for a career full of historic achievements, achieved against the best players in tennis history.
“I gave my best at work,” said Murray at the Paris Olympics. “Obviously, there are things I look back on and wish I had done differently, but it was an uphill battle to win big titles in this game with the players who were in front of me. I'm proud of my success, my efforts and I'm looking forward to a long break now.” Read Murray Longform Tribute.
Steve Johnson
California native Johnson established himself as a consistent force on the ATP Tour with his devastating forehand, lethal backhand chops and fighting spirit. Johnson turned pro in 2012 after leading the University of Southern California to four straight NCAA team titles and winning the singles crown twice. He finished his college career with 72 consecutive hits.
Johnson went on to collect four tour-level titles and reach a career-high No. 21 in 2016. He teamed up with fellow countryman Jack Sock at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where he took home a bronze medal. For five years in a row from 2014-18, Johnson finished inside the year-end Top 50 and consistently proved that he was tough on any opponent. He retired in front of friends and family at Indian Wells.
“As I sit here now I'm proud of what I've achieved, I feel like I've done everything I can to correct the mistakes I've made, playing or all things related to playing tennis. I feel like I haven't left anything out. And for me, that's the most important part,” said Johnson.
“I don't want to look back and have regrets or wish I had done X, Y and Z. So for me, I feel very proud of what I have achieved. Having the career that I had, the success and everything is so nice to look back on. But knowing that my wife and girls may not remember me playing tennis, but they will remember me [see those things]that means a lot to me.” Read Johnson's Retirement Feature.
Ivo Karlovic
Driven by his 6'11” (2.11m) frame, Karlovic prides himself on being one of the greatest players in tennis history. The Croatian is second on the Aces leaderboard, having hit 13,728 aces, according to Infosys ATP Stats. Only John Isner has hit more (the Ace count has been kept since 1991).
Karlovic emerged as an eight-time tour-level champion who rose to No. 14 in 2008. At Wimbledon in 2003, Karlovic made his major debut and defeated then-defending champion Lleyton Hewitt en route to his lone Slam. the quarter-final.
Karlovic confirmed her retirement in February, having not competed since October 2021. “I've had a very fulfilling, unusual and long career from very humble beginnings, especially for a tennis player,” Karlovic said. Read Karlovic's book 'My Point'.
Ivo Karlovic, John Millman, ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi, Joao Sousa and Dominic Thiem.” style=”width:100%;” src=”https://www.atptour.com/-/media /images/news/2024/ 11/15/19/06/nitto-atp-finals-2024-retirement-ceremony.jpg”>
From left to right: Ivo Karlovic, John Millman, ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi, Joao Sousa and Dominic Thiem at the 2024 Nitto ATP Finals. Credit: Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour
João Sousa
Sousa's achievements made him a national figure in his native Portugal. The 35-year-old is the highest-ranked Portuguese player in the history of the PIF ATP Rankings (No. 28, 2016).
In 2013, Sousa became the first player from his country to win an ATP Tour title (Kuala Lumpur). He didn't stop there. Sousa has earned four tour-level titles and often competes against the best players in the sport, earning five Top 10s. He reached the fourth round at the 2018 US Open and 2019 Wimbledon. Sousa fittingly closed his career in front of the home fans in Estoril this year.
“I couldn't have asked for a better ending. I think that's the best place I've ever asked to end a career,” Sousa said. “It was very special [winning here] in 2018, the entire crowd supports the whole week. So it was amazing to feel the love and support of my fans back home, in Portugal.” Read Sousa's Retirement Feature.
John Millman
From highs to lows, Millman has experienced a range of emotions during a 14-year professional career that ended at the Australian Open. The Australian's storied journey featured one ATP Tour title, an upset against Roger Federer on his way to the quarterfinals of the 2018 US Open and he maximized his potential – even in the face of adversity, such as multiple shoulder surgeries.
“I hope people enjoy this trip and see that I left everything behind. If they agree with that and that story, then I have done my job,” said the former World No. Read Millman's Retirement Feature.
Federico Delbonis
Delbonis was a tricky opponent, using his left hand to great effect and captivating his fans with his unusual service moves and high throws. A doubles tour-level player, the Argentine reached a career-high number 33 in the PIF ATP Rankings in 2016. He hung up his racquets in January.
“Today is the end of one of the most enriching journeys in my life,” said Delbonis. “It is the only phase of my life where I learned to be a sportsman and a person. I had unforgettable and unbeatable moments on and off the tennis court.” Read the Delbonis Retirement Feature.
Ryan Harrison
Harrison's game was as explosive as his competition. Harrison reached the Top 40 in the PIF ATP Rankings and also reached No. 16 in career doubles. Harrison wrote on his retired social media account in January.
In 2017, Harrison was playing the best tennis of his life. He won his only ATP Tour title in Memphis and partnered with Michael Venus for the Roland Garros doubles trophy. Harrison and Venus qualified for the Nitto ATP Finals that year and reached the semifinals. Read Harrison's Retirement Feature.
