Andy Murray admits he could have won more without Federer era
Andy Murray has admitted he probably would have won more Grand Slam titles if Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic had not dominated men's tennis during his prime. Speaking at an IBM event at Wimbledon, the retired three-time major champion said he sometimes wished they were not around. Even so, he insisted he has no regrets about competing in the Big Three era.
Key Takeaways
- Murray told Tennis365 he "probably" would have won more majors without Federer, Nadal and Djokovic blocking his path.
- All eight of his Grand Slam runner-up finishes came against members of the Big Three.
- He still calls the era the greatest in men's tennis and says he is proud of pushing his body to its limits.
- Murray ruled out any playing comeback, saying his body is "in bits" and he now plays golf instead.
What did Andy Murray confess about Federer, Nadal and Djokovic?
Now content in retirement, Murray spoke candidly at an IBM event at Wimbledon, telling Tennis365 that competing against Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic was the ultimate challenge. The trio won a remarkable 66 Grand Slam titles between them while Murray was trying to break through.
"Could I have won more if Roger, Rafa and Novak were not around? Probably, but I don't look at it like that," Murray stated. He added that he would have won more if there had been "one less of them or, even better, two less of them."
Why does Murray say he has no regrets about the Big Three era?
Despite the stacked odds, Murray framed his career as a privilege rather than a curse. He said there were "definitely times" he wished Federer, Nadal and Djokovic were not playing at the same time, but he also felt fortunate to face them on tennis's biggest stages.
He highlighted beating Djokovic on Centre Court at Wimbledon, taking on Nadal at Roland-Garros when the Spaniard was "virtually unbeatable on clay," and defeating Federer in an Olympic final. Murray called it the best era men's tennis has seen, with three players each winning 20-plus majors — something he doubts will be repeated in his lifetime.
How does Murray's confession connect to athletic longevity?
Murray finished with three Grand Slam titles, two Olympic singles gold medals and a spell as world No. 1 — achievements he called "pretty amazing" given how hard it is to succeed in the sport. He said he put everything into his career and "pushed my body as far as it could go," a reminder of how elite longevity demands extreme physical commitment.
Injuries hampered him at the back end of his playing days, and that toll now shapes his post-tennis life. When asked about a comeback, Murray was blunt: "Oh my God, not a chance." He said his body was "in bits" and that golf is far easier on the joints. For more on how athletes manage careers and recovery, see our Longevity & Biohacking coverage.
What changed about Wimbledon for Murray after retirement?
Murray said returning to Wimbledon now feels different from his playing years, when pressure and unanswered questions mounted each season he failed to win the title. Federer won seven Wimbledon crowns, Djokovic seven and Nadal a couple — leaving few openings for anyone else.
Today, Murray associates the tournament with good memories rather than dread. He is not dwelling on what might have been, and he has since dabbled in coaching — but on the court itself, he insists his competitive chapter is closed for good.