Fans work out exact Andy Murray retirement date as icon slips out the end game amid Wimbledon tears

Tennis hero Andy Murray said goodbye to Wimbledon and all-but revealed exactly when he will be putting his racquet away for good.

The Scottish superstar – who won three grand slams, two Olympic golds and dragged Great Britain to an improbable Davis Cup in 2015 – was serenaded with a farewell for the ages after he and brother Jamie lost in doubles action on Thursday night. And now guarded Murray officially let the cat out the bag as he gets set to walk away "in a few weeks."

That phrase appears to mean it's set to be a Last Tango in Paris as he gets set for doubles action before calling time on his career at the age of 37. Murray was the best tennis player on the planet at the end of the 2016 season his troublesome hip – which needed a metal pin inserted - and countless other setbacks robbed him of more Grand Slam glory to add to his two Wimbledon's and one US Open. And his frank and warm interview with Sue Barker also all-but guaranteed when his 20-year career on the tour will end.

Speaking to BBC, he said: "It is hard because I want to keep playing, but I can't. Physically it's too tough now. I want to play forever. I love the sport. The injuries have been tough, quite significant injuries. We've worked extremely hard just to be on the court competing, probably not on the level that any of us wanted but we tried."

Focus then turned to his team and support network as he told the BBC: "Look I have had incredible support. All the players here on the court know you can't do it on your own and need a team of people supporting you. The coaches, strength and conditioning, physios and in recent years surgeons unfortunately as well. I have had some amazing people working with me over the years and a huge thanks to them for supporting me through this."