Tears as Murray declares game, set and match
A game-changer for world tennis
HE WAS the British number one for nearly a decade and a half, and it was time enough to rebuild the nation’s reputation on the court.
Sir Andy Murray, the first home-grown star since Fred Perry to lift the men’s single title at Wimbledon, brought down the curtain on a remarkable career by accepting the applause of the crowd – not on centre court this time, but on social media – after an emotional press conference.
He would, he said, hang up his racket after this year’s fortnight at the All England Club. But his chronic hip condition might not let him get that far.
Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister of his home country, hailed him “a legend”, and the current top-ranked British players, Kyle Edmund and Johanna Konta, led a long list of tributes.
Murray, who will be 32 in May, responded by sharing a picture of himself getting a hug from his mother, Judy Murray.
“Best way to feel better after a tough day is a big cuddle from your mum,” he wrote.
Murray had shed a few tears as he announced his retirement.
“Not great,” he said, when asked how his hip was feeling.
Overcome by emotion, he left the room briefly, before returning to deliver the denouement. Game over.
He had recovered his
composure sufficiently by later in the day to write: “Genuinely been very touched by all of the messages and support from everybody today. It means a lot and has made me feel much more positive than when I woke this morning.”
Murray will start his season, in the first-round of the Australian Open, on Monday. But the match may be his last, if the hip pain does not let up.
The prospect of not retiring on his own terms chimed with some of his fellow professionals.
Billie Jean King, a winner of 12 grand slam singles titles, messaged him: “You are a champion on and off the court.
“Remember to look to the future. Your greatest impact on the world may be yet to come. Your voice for equality will inspire future generations.”
Edmund, who replaced Murray as British number one, called the two-time Wimbledon champion his “biggest role model”, while Konta said: “I can’t imagine the sport without him, to be honest.”
Greg Rusedski, another former British number one, said: “He is one of the best athletes, tactician and competitor to grace our sport.
“He should be so proud of his incredible career.”
The Spanish player Rafael Nadal added: “You are an example of a great athlete and person.”
Grigor Dimitrov, the Bulgarian former world number three, posted a picture of himself and Murray at the net before a match at Wimbledon and wrote: “Tennis will come to an end for us all but the friendships will last a lifetime.
“What you’ve done for the sport will live on forever. I’m hoping for a strong and healthy finish for you, my friend.”
Juan Martin Del Potro, who returned to the top echelons of the sport after his own lengthy battles with injury, wrote: “Andy, just watched your conference. Please don’t stop trying. Keep fighting.
“I can imagine your pain and sadness. I hope you can overcome this. You deserve to retire on your own terms.”
You are an example of a great athlete and person.
Tribute to Andy Murray from Rafael Nadal.
IN ANY era of tennis, Sir Andy Murray’s record would compare favourably with the game’s greats. Three Grand Slam titles, two Olympic gold medals, a Davis Cup triumph and number one world ranking.
Yet the fact that Murray achieved these feats – while also ending Britain’s decades-long wait for a men’s singles winner at Wimbledon – is even more remarkable given the quality of his opponents.
Unfortunate in some respects that his career coincided with the brilliance of the legendary Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, it was also fortunate because these players spurred each other to new levels of greatness because of their rivalry and respect and, in doing so, took tennis to a whole new audience.
And as a tearful Murray comes to terms with his career being curtailed by injury, he, and his family, should draw immense satisfaction from the warmth of the tributes paid by so many tennis champions and also those from genuine sports fans who admired his ability to chase down every ball and produce some of Britain’s most celebrated sporting moments in history.