Tennis
Tennis royalty pay tribute to Andy Murray in emotional Wimbledon farewell
CENTRE COURT — Andy Murray began his long goodbye to Wimbledon in the company of a string of legends in an emotional ceremony on Centre Court.
He and his brother Jamie were beaten 7-6, 6-4 by Australia’s Rinky Hijikata and John Peers in front of the whole Murray clan, including two of his children for the first time at Wimbledon, but even they – and the whole of Centre Court – could not drag the Murrays over the line.
Flanked by Jamie for the first time at Wimbledon, Murray briefly mounted a second-set comeback with an early break but the Scots lost six of the last eight games against the more experienced team.
Murray will return for one last campaign in the mixed doubles with Emma Raducanu this weekend, but SW19 paid their own tribute to him after defeat in the men’s doubles.
“It was really special. We never got the chance to do it before,” Andy Murray said.
“But the way things worked out, there was a chance. Jamie’s usual partner played with Neal Skupski, Jamie asked me, it was a race against time to be out here.
“It was easy physically. I am glad we were able to do this one time together.”
Murray, 37, slipped off court after the match but quickly returned and was followed by a who’s who of stars and fellow Brits: Tim Henman, Dan Evans, Cam Norrie, Jack Draper, Lleyton Hewitt, Iga Swiatek, Holger Rune, Novak Djokovic, Conchita Martinez, Martina Navratilova and John McEnroe all filed onto court to help pay tribute.
But it was Sue Barker, until recently the BBC’s tennis anchor, who took the microphone and – as she did after both his Wimbledon triumphs – conducted a masterful interview.
A video montage featured words of thanks and tribute from Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, the three men who have been such an iconic part of his career.
“I was incredibly fortunate to play in this time and all tennis fans have been lucky to witness what they have achieved,” Murray added.
“It has been incredible to watch what they have done and part of the matches and major championships over the years.
“I was fortunate to get through them a couple of times in big moments. What a time to be on the tour.”
Of ending the 77-year wait for a British men’s winner at Wimbledon in 2013, he said: “I did find it pretty stressful, it wasn’t easy. I had an amazing team of people behind me. The crowd support made a huge difference.
“Playing at home is an advantage in all sports. Novak had an off day obviously. I managed to get over the line.
“I didn’t really enjoy it as much as I should have done. I found it really stressful!”
Murray, a compelling speaker in the right mood, appeared relaxed on court, talking to Sue as though 15,000 people were not watching on and millions more on TV: he discussed drunkenly vomiting in the taxi on the way home after his first Wimbledon title, vomiting in front of his wife Kim the first time she came to watch him play tennis and then vomiting on his opponent’s racket bag.
Unsurprisingly, emotion got the better of Murray on several occasions, but never more so than when thanking his family: mother Judy, father Will and of course Kim.
“Unfortunately, in a couple of months, she’s gonna have to see me every day!” Murray joked, wiping away the tears.
“Things might be rocky for a little while but hopefully we can stick it out, and I’m looking forward to the rest of our lives together.”
Murray still has the Olympics to go, and reminded everyone that fate and fitness had taken this decision for him.
“I want to play forever. I love the sport.”
And, as has been demonstrated at Wimbledon so many times over the years, the sport loves him.
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