Volkswacht Bodensee - Doubles champion Jamie Murray retires from tennis

The seven-time Grand Slam champion, who had not played since last August's US Open, said he was "excited to enter the real world".

"My tennis journey comes to an end after 36 years," Murray, the older brother of British singles tennis great Andy, posted on Instagram.

"I feel very fortunate and privileged for all the amazing experiences this great sport has given me."

"Thanks Mum, Dad, Andy, Ale, Alan, Louis and Thomas for all your incredible support, efforts and sacrifices throughout my career that allowed me to achieve everything I could in the game," the Scot added.

"For everybody else that's helped and supported me -- I appreciate all of you!"

Murray won two of his 34 doubles titles with Andy, and they joined forces in style as Britain won the Davis Cup in 2015 for the first time in 79 years.

Andy Murray, a three-time major singles champion, was in his brother's coaching box to take photos of Jamie's first Grand Slam men's doubles title at the 2016 Australian Open.

It was in the early hours of the morning and Andy was due to play Novak Djokovic in the singles final in Melbourne just 18 hours later.

"Shouldn't you be in bed?" Jamie joked, as he accepted the trophy alongside Brazil's Bruno Soares.

The duo added the US Open title later that year and finished 2016 as the world's number one-ranked doubles team, with Andy Murray also topping the singles rankings.

Jamie Murray also won five mixed doubles titles, including two at Wimbledon -- with Jelena Jankovic in 2007 and Martina Hingis 10 years later.

D.Bachmann--VB