Roger Federer’s stark retirement warning to Andy Murray speaks volumes about ‘struggles’

Tennis icon Roger Federer has issued some valuable advice to Andy Murray, suggesting he should avoid the dullness of idle retirement by keeping active after he hangs up his racket.

Murray, 37, is set to wrap up his illustrious career in the coming months, potentially after a swansong at the Paris Olympics. Federer, who bid farewell to the court in late 2022, explained that having a packed schedule is key to life after sport.

The 42-year-old, who won 20 Grand Slam titles, said (via the Daily Star): "Andy will go through it his way. He might struggle for a couple of years. He might wake up the next day and go, 'this is the best thing, why didn't I do this much earlier?'

"It really depends on your life. He's got four children now, he's all set up and he's going to be very busy. I think staying busy right away is great.

"Because what you don't want to happen and I've had this on two occasions over the last year-and-a-half - is when you sit at home on the couch and have nothing to do.

"I'm alone, kids are at school, wife's off doing something and you're thinking, 'and now what?' That is a terrible feeling. It's important to stay really busy and have a structure.

"He'll see once he's on the other side what a great decision it probably will be for his life, his body and mind, as well. He has tried so hard to get back on the court. I don't know how the last couple of weeks have been for him. It must have been brutal."

Emma Raducanu's sudden withdrawal from the mixed doubles on Saturday means Murray's final appearance at SW19 was his men's doubles first-round exit with brother Jamie on Thursday. Federer expressed regret for missing the poignant post-match tribute to his 20-year career, appearing in a video message instead.