Although it may not quite be the end for British tennis great Andy Murray at Wimbledon, the 37-year-old received a heartfelt farewell following his and his brother Jamie’s first-round exit in the men’s doubles on Thursday.
Murray, considered one of Britain’s greatest sportsmen, returned to the scene of his two Wimbledon titles just weeks after surgery to remove a spinal cyst. This latest injury, one of many that have plagued his later career, prevented him from making a final singles appearance before retirement. However, Murray’s determination saw him return to Wimbledon turf one last time, partnering with his brother Jamie in a Grand Slam for the first time.
The Australian pair of Rinky Hijikata and John Peers defeated the Murrays 7-6(6), 6-4, but the result was secondary to the emotional atmosphere on Centre Court. The crowd, including Murray’s wife Kim, his daughters Sophia and Edie, and his parents Judy and William, watched anxiously as Murray, who briefly clutched his back in pain, continued to play, showcasing flashes of the brilliance that earned him his Wimbledon titles.
Despite the loss, Murray is still scheduled to play mixed doubles with fellow Brit and Grand Slam winner Emma Raducanu. Following the match, a special ceremony celebrated Murray’s illustrious career. BBC sport presenter Sue Barker led the tributes, joined by former champions Novak Djokovic, Martina Navratilova, Conchita Martinez, and John McEnroe, alongside a host of British players.
A montage of Murray’s career highlights played on the screen, with tributes from Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Rafa Nadal. Murray, wiping away tears, reflected on his favorite moments, including his 2012 Olympic final win over Federer and his second Wimbledon title in 2016. He humorously recounted his celebration after the 2016 Wimbledon final win over Milos Raonic, admitting to vomiting in a cab after a few drinks.
On a more serious note, Murray expressed his desire to “play forever,” but acknowledged that his injury-ridden body, including a hip that required career-saving surgery in 2019, could no longer keep up. “Physically it’s just too tough now. All of the injuries have added up. I love this sport. It’s given me so much and taught me loads of lessons over the years. I don’t want to stop, so it is hard.”
As Murray bids farewell to Wimbledon, his legacy as a fierce competitor and beloved sportsman endures, leaving an indelible mark on tennis and British sports history.
