Andy Murray in sad scenes as 18-year-old makes tennis history at Qatar Open

Andy Murray has endured another brutal setback and given fans a hint a retirement could be soon coming having lost to 18-year-old Jakub Mensik at the Qatar Open. Murray had a brilliant chance to set-up a clash against World No.5 Andrey Rublev at the Qatar Open having drawn World No.116 ranked Mensik in the round of 16.

Murray and Mensik were involved in an incredibly close tennis match as both won a set each from a tiebreak. Murray appeared out of the contest at 2-5 down in the third set, before rallying back with the crowds support. Although it wasn't enough for the Scot as he lost to Mensik 7-6 6-7 7-6. Incredibly, the 18-year-old became just the third player born in 2005 to make a quarter-final on the ATP tour.

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Murray appeared dejected during the match and could be seen mouthing the words "this game is not for me anymore" as frustration was building. The three-time grand slam winner has now lost 10 of his last 12 matches.

And his frustration on court could have been the biggest hint yet the 36-year-old is nearing the end of his career. Murray was particularly frustrated on his own set point in the first set, when he hit a routine backhand volley into the net.

He later bemoaned the miss, after losing the tiebreak, to reporters at the Qatar Open. After the three hour and 24 minute battle, Mensik was left stunned after one of the biggest scalps of his career. “I’m just speechless right now, I don’t know what to say,” Mensik said in his on-court interview.

“I know that a lot of the fans wanted Andy to win today, so hopefully they will come to watch my match tomorrow. I’m just happy. It was a tough match today. Andy is an unbelievable player, I know that. When I was young, I watched him win Wimbledon two times, so it’s unbelievable that he can still compete with the best players in the world.” Brazilian Joao Fonseca is the only player to eclipse Mensik's record having become the first player to win on the ATP Tour born in 2006 or later.

Tennis world rallies around tough Andy Murray scenes

Fans were left flat and dejected for Murray with many fans hoping the two-time Wimbledon champion can find form before the grass court campaign. Murray took a heavy fall more than two hours into the match, which sent a scare around the court.

Although in typical Murray fashion, the Scot battled on. Unfortunately, Murray is now expected to drop to World No.66. This is his lowest ranking in 12 months. Murray is expected to take part in the Dubai Tennis Championships in a bid to secure more ranking points. Mensik will take on the in-form Rublev in the next round.

Only the other day, Murray hit back at the critics calling for him to retire and said he plans to go out on his own terms. “I can do whatever I want,” Murray told Sky Sports Tennis.

“I don’t have to do what fans or journalists or anyone is telling me to do. I’m qualifying for all of these tournaments on my right, on my ranking from the matches I’ve won. I want to keep playing just now. I’m not going to stop.”

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