'I won an Olympic silver medal with Andy Murray – his career deserves a dream ending'

Laura Robson has expressed her wish for Andy Murray to end his incredible career in a fitting way at Wimbledon and the Olympic Games this summer.

Murray is yet to decide whether he will play at Wimbledon after undergoing surgery on a back injury. The 37-year-old Scot was forced to retire from a match at Queen’s Club last week and subsequently had an operation on Saturday.

While he hasn’t officially stated that the end of his career is close, Murray has dropped plenty of hints in recent months that he will call it a day after a final shot at Wimbledon and Olympic glory. Both competitions hold special significance to Murray, who has twice won in SW19 and has two Olympic gold medals.

The three-time Grand Slam champion also won a silver medal in the mixed doubles alongside Robson at the London 2012 Games – and the 30-year-old knows better the most about the grit and determination driving his will to bow out on a high in the coming weeks.

“I think everyone wants the dream finish for him,” Robson told Mirror Sport while speaking on behalf of the Vodafone Play Your Way to Wimbledon campaign. “I just want him to be healthy enough for him to get out there and play a full match. It’ll be very tough because, even if you’re healthy, it’s best of five [sets].

“I think for him it’s obviously going to be harder. I just want him to have the finish that he deserves – it’s not like anyone is expecting him to win the tournament. Even a couple of matches, I’d be so impressed by.

"Even for him to go out there would be the coolest thing – he deserves a good send-off, even if he’s not said either way [if he will retire]. He’s still figuring it out and seeing how his body is feeling, so fingers crossed that he gets out there and we get to see him play at Wimbledon.”

Andy Murray of Great Britain reacts against Alexei Popyrin

Robson was just 18 years old when she won silver in the mixed doubles with Murray at the Olympic Games, narrowly missing out on gold in a tie-breaker. Murray won gold in the men’s singles in 2012 and 2016, making him the only player, male or female, to win two golds in singles at the Games.

He has been selected by Team GB for the upcoming Games in France, but his participation in the doubles with Dan Evans is not certain due to both players’ injuries. “I think that would make it his fifth Olympics if he gets to Paris, which is an incredible stat,” Robson said.

“It shows his longevity and the fact that he’s been out there for so many years competing at the highest level and still working as hard as ever and trying absolutely everything to get back on the court. Fingers crossed he gets to the Olympics. I hope he’s healthy enough to do both.

Laura Robson is supporting Vodafone's Play Your Way to Wimbledon scheme

“It gets harder and harder. I’m certainly feeling older by the day, so I can’t imagine how his body is feeling after so many years of all-out practise and matches and so many tournaments in a year with a metal hip and everything added up.

"He’s definitely exceeded expectations of what you thought was possible after that kind of surgery. The fact that he is still out there, going into tournaments thinking there’s a chance he can do well is incredible.”

Vodafone, Official Connectivity Partner of Wimbledon, is working with Laura Robson to inspire the next generation of tennis players through Play Your Way To Wimbledon.