AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe has paid tribute to tennis star Andy Murray, who recently announced he would soon be retiring from the sport.
The three-time grand slam winner has struggled to overcome a severe hip injury sustained in 2016, and announced his plans to retire this year in an emotional press conference this morning.
The Scot’s early retirement is an experience shared by Howe – who ended his own playing career in 2007 after a crippling knee problem.
The Cherries boss admitted his frustration at his own battle with injury setbacks, before voicing his support for Murray ahead of his side’s trip to Everton this weekend:
“It’s one of the most frustrating things you can have, when you’re very passionate about the sport and you can play at any level, that your body doesn’t allow you to do it anymore.
“For me personally, it was one of the hardest things mentally I had to get round and understand.
“I’m sure it’s the same for Andy and I would like to just pay tribute to what he has given British sport and British tennis. He’s had a huge amount of success and dedication to his sport and I think he has always handled himself extremely well so fair play to him.”
Murray is likely to make his final appearance on a tennis court at the Australian Open this month, although the former champion still harbours ambitions of an emotional send off at Wimbledon later this year.
Author: Dan Davis
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