Andy Murray expressed heartfelt gratitude to Wimbledon organizers for the “emotional” farewell ceremony following his final appearance, where he and his older brother Jamie were defeated in the men’s doubles.
The two-time singles champion, playing at the All England Club for the last time before his impending retirement, was moved to tears by a video montage of his career displayed on the Centre Court big screen. The emotional tribute was met with prolonged applause from thousands of fans.
“It feels like a good ending to me. Whether I deserve it or not, I don’t know. But they did a really, really good job,” said Murray, who won Wimbledon in 2013 and 2016.
The Murray brothers were welcomed to a packed Centre Court with a standing ovation, and another ovation followed their 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 loss to Australian pair John Peers and Rinky Hijikata.
Murray’s family, including his parents Judy and Will, his wife Kim, and two of their daughters, watched on as former BBC presenter Sue Barker led a poignant ceremony. Murray thanked his family, team members over the years, and fans for their continued support.
“It is hard because I want to keep playing, but I can’t,” Murray said on court. “Physically it’s too tough now. I want to play forever. I love the sport.”
Among those applauding from the side of the court were fellow Grand Slam champions Novak Djokovic, Martina Navratilova, John McEnroe, Iga Swiatek, and Tim Henman, along with current players Dan Evans, Jack Draper, and Cameron Norrie.
Murray is scheduled to play later this week in the mixed doubles with fellow British Grand Slam champion Emma Raducanu.
“It was obviously very special to play with Jamie, we’ve not had the chance to do it before,” Murray said. “It was a race against time to get out here and physically it wasn’t easy, but I’m glad we were able to do it one time together.”
Why Wimbledon Means So Much to Murray
Wimbledon has been the backdrop for many defining moments in Murray’s career, making it emotionally significant for him to play one final time. Murray’s chances of a last hurrah were jeopardized by a back issue that caused a loss of power and feeling in his right leg during a match at Queen’s three weeks ago. A subsequent operation on June 22 left him in a race against time to be fit for Wimbledon.
Despite leaving the decision until the night before his scheduled singles match, Murray ultimately realized it was not feasible to play a five-set match. Playing doubles with Jamie was the next best option, and the plan came to fruition.
Murray’s first Wimbledon final in 2012 ended in tears after losing to Roger Federer, but he redeemed himself by winning Olympic singles gold on the same court against the same opponent four weeks later. A year later, Murray ended Britain’s 77-year wait for a Wimbledon men’s singles champion by defeating world number one Djokovic, and he claimed another Wimbledon title in 2016.
After both victories, Murray followed the tradition of walking through the marbled corridors of Centre Court, receiving a guard of honor before stepping onto the balcony to greet the fans below. This ceremonial walk was repeated on Thursday night, providing a fitting farewell for a player who has led British tennis with distinction.
How an Emotional Day Unfolded
The anticipation of the “Super Murray Bros” dominated day four of the Championships. Fans camped overnight to secure tickets, and the queue grew to 11,000 hopefuls by mid-morning. Inside the All England Club, fans without court tickets gathered on Henman Hill, now dubbed “Murray Mound,” to watch the match.
As the match began, it was clear Andy Murray was struggling with his movement, but his determination remained undiminished. Despite his efforts, his body couldn’t keep up with his will to win, a recurring theme over the past five and a half years.
Murray’s career has been marked by significant injuries, including a hip resurfacing surgery that many thought would end his career. Yet, he made a remarkable comeback, winning an ATP Tour title later that year and creating more memorable moments at Grand Slams.
Reflecting on his journey, Murray said, “The injuries have been tough, quite significant injuries. We’ve worked extremely hard just to be on the court competing, probably not on the level that any of us wanted but we tried.”
Murray’s farewell at Wimbledon was a fitting tribute to a player who has inspired and led British tennis for over a decade.
Credit: BBC Sport
