Andy and Jamie Murray spent their formative childhood years playing tennis at their local tennis club in Dunblane, where their mother, Judy, was the club coach. They were often the youngest players on the court and as they grew into the sport, sharpening their tools against bigger and stronger opponents, they were sustained by dreams of one day making it all the way to Wimbledon.
After years of surpassing those dreams many times, for the first time in their careers Andy and Jamie competed on the same side of the net at Wimbledon as Andy began his long, emotional farewell to Wimbledon after 19 incredible years. Despite the strong opposition they put up with Andy’s considerable limitations, Andy and Jamie Murray were defeated 7-6 (6), 6-4 by Rinky Hijikata and John Peers in the dying light on Centre Court.
Even though the Murray brothers had both stepped on the court in order to win, in the end the tennis itself was immaterial. This was a moment to salute one of the greatest British sportsmen at a tournament he has conquered two times ahead of his imminent retirement.
After the match, a number of current players and former champions entered the court, including Novak Djokovic, Iga Swiatek, Martina Navratilova, Tim Henman and John McEnroe as the All England Club saluted one of its legendary champions. After viewing a video montage narrated by Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Djokovic and Venus Williams, Andy was interviewed by Sue Barker, who had been on court at Wimbledon for all of Andy’s wins and defeats.
“I want to play for ever,” he said. “I love the sport. It’s given me so, so much. It taught me loads of lessons over the years I can use for the rest of my life. I don’t want to stop, so it is hard.”
The fact that the younger Murray brother was able to take to the court in any form on Thursday, 12 days after he underwent back surgery, was a minor miracle in itself. Andy’s preparations for his final Wimbledon were scuppered by pain in his back and right leg that forced the 37-year-old to retire from his singles match at Queen’s.
Despite being warned by some experts that he could be out for six to 12 weeks, Andy immediately threw himself into rehab with hopes of making it back on-court for Wimbledon. Although it was still not enough to compete in singles, the effort that he put into his work was a final reminder of his discipline and commitment that has underscored his career. As he took to the court on Thursday evening, the 37-year-old still did not have full feeling in his right leg.
Just after 7pm, the teams entered Centre Court to a long, warm standing ovation from a full crowd under cool, blue skies, necks craning to catch a glimpse of the first British man to win the Wimbledon singles title in 77 years entering the court for possibly the last time. Figures looking on from their player box included their parents, Judy and William, Andy’s wife, Kim, along with two of their children, and many other people from their inner circle.
Although Andy started solidly, serving well in their opening service game, he also provided an immediate reminder of his current frailty. At 1-1, Andy lunged at a ball and pulled up holding his back. Andy would spend much of the match feeling out his back and his movement was extremely restricted but he continued to work with what he had against formidable opponents in Peers and Hijikata, both former Australian Open doubles champions with different partners.
Even with Andy moving at half-speed, the Murrays were more than competitive, holding a set point at 6-5 in the first set tie-break before the Australian pair played three brilliant points to snatch the set. They responded immediately, breaking serve for a 2-0 lead. But the Australians reeled them back in and closed out the match in two tough sets.
“It was really special,” said Andy. “We never got the chance to do it before, just the way things worked out. There was a chance this year; Jamie’s usual partner [Michael Venus] was playing with Neal Skupski. It was a race against time to be here. Physically it wasn’t easy but I was glad we were able to do it this year.”
After the match, Andy and Barker recounted the key moments of his career, including his Wimbledon wins in 2013 and 2016, revealing that he had vomited in the back of the taxi after his celebrations for his second Wimbledon. He also indicated that he might have his eye on coaching in the near future.
“I’m not never going to come back here. It depends who I’m watching. I hate watching my brother – I find it really difficult to watch my brother play. But I love tennis, I watch it a lot. I would probably be more comfortable sitting up there in the coaching box,” Andy said.
After keeping his composure throughout the celebration, he finally became emotional as he addressed his family and his team: “It’s been hard for me, but it has been hard for them.”
While the organisers chose this poignant moment to recognise Andy’s success, this is not yet the end. He will also play mixed doubles alongside Emma Raducanu, a team composed of the two active British singles grand slam champions. Later this month, Andy’s final tournament will be the Olympic Games, where he will play doubles with Dan Evans.