Andy Murray beats Robin Haase at the Rotterdam Open

Andy Murray at the US Open in 2012. Photo: Francisco Diez

Former tennis world number one Andy Murray has said that every time he “steps on the court” he is playing for his career.

The 33-year-old has earned his first tour-level win since August 2020 after beating Robin Haase at the Rotterdam Open in the round of 32.

Murray, who suffered a potentially career ending hip injury back in 2017, is now ranked 123rd in the world.

Speaking after his victory over Haase he said: “It’s motivation in some ways but also adds a bit of extra stress. Every time I lose a match I’m getting told to retire, that I should stop playing, that I’m finished, and I’ve got nothing left.”

Murray was already forced to miss the Australian Open in February because he tested positive for coronavirus. He played just seven matches in the 2020 season due to injuries and the pandemic.

And things did not get any better for the Scotsman in the Netherlands. In the round of 16 Murray came up against Andrey Rublev, who is ranked as number eight in the world.

The Brit got knocked out in a two-set match that finished 7-5 6-2.

Murray faced Rublev in 2017 at the Australian Open and won comfortably, however this time he was seen as the underdog.

The 33-year-old, who smashed his racket in anger during the match, was due to play in the Dubai tennis championship that started on 14 March but missed the competition after his wife, Kim Sears, gave birth to their fourth child. Murray is set to travel to the United States towards the end of March to prepare for the Miami Open, in which he is expected to receive a wild card to play.