Murray's career ends with Olympic doubles defeat

                                  Murray's career ends with Olympic doubles defeat  

British tennis icon Andy Murray has retired from professional tennis after losing in straight sets in the Olympic men's doubles quarterfinals, bringing an end to his glittering career.

Two-time Olympic singles champion Murray and Dan Evans lost 6-2, 6-4 to third-seeded Americans Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul.

The 37-year-old Murray stated before the Paris tournament that this would be his last tournament before retiring.

"I'm proud of my career, my achievements and the investment I've made in the sport," said the former world number one, who won the US Open in 2012 and Wimbledon titles in 2013 and 2016.

After sharing a long embrace with Evans at the baseline, Murray was visibly moved as the Roland Garros fans chanted his name in appreciation. Evans gently encouraged his teammates to walk to the center of the pitch one last time, while Murray waved in all directions and disappeared into the dressing room.

Moments later, Murray said he was "ready" to step down.

"Obviously it was quite emotional because it's my last time playing in an official match," he said.

"But I'm really happy now, I'm pleased with the result. "It's nice to be able to qualify for the Olympics and achieve my goal because in the last few years it wasn't always a sure thing."

Murray, who turned professional as a teenager in 2005, has played 1,001 singles matches and even more in doubles during his career.

He has won 46 ATP titles and led Great Britain to the Davis Cup title in 2015.