As the career of Andy Murray nears its end, the Brit is playing his last Wimbledon. Having withdrawn from the singles because he had not recovered enough from back surgery 10 days before, Murray entered both mens and mixed doubles.
After losing in the first round of the mens doubles, held on centre court, Wimbledon did a “Thank you Andy” celebration, before an emotional interview with Sue Barker. The Big three of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic took part in a video along with Venus Williams. Other tennis stars have shared their love and thank you’s to Murray, who although not officially announcing retirement, has stated he will not play beyond this summer.
Here are some of the words from his peers towards the Brit, who goes down in British Tennis history. Having won Wimbledon twice, Olympic singles gold back to back, won all the Davis Cup rubbers he played in 2015 to more or less single handed win the trophy for Great Britain, and became world No. 1.
Tennis stars bid Murray farewell
Serena Williams
The American, who holds 23 Grand Slams played mixed doubles with Murray in 2019, posted a video on social media. Serena thanked Murray for everything he has done, especially defending womens tennis. In the message she said that the main reason she enjoyed watching the Brit was because “One of the main reasons [is] because you were one of the few players who would be more angry than me on the court, which is a hard thing to do. And you may have [had] a little [of] an attitude just like mine, let’s just say” the American then cracked a laugh, she continued “But to me, it was the most exciting thing to watch. And I had the pleasure of playing mixed doubles next to you by your side, which was such a fantastic experience to do that at Wimbledon nonetheless, and it was really one of the highlights of my life.”
@andy_murray pic.twitter.com/Gp56oiyDVt
— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) July 5, 2024
Iga Swiatek
The Polish world number 1 also posted on social media, thanking Murray for everything and that they couldn’t wish for better support for their sport. Swiatek said it was an honour to stand on centre court to witness the tribute, the thank you, the emotional interview with Barker.
Coco Gauff told the press, that she had recently seen the clip of the Brit correcting a journalist who was using statistics that did not include the women. The American said
“It’s something that as a female player, you’ll see a lot where people will be, like, He’s the first player to do this. It’s like, well, Serena and Venus did it, another player did it ages ago, the first American. I did it, I do appreciate him. Not only him but also his mother for everything they’ve done for equality for women’s sports.”
“I think his legacy is that he’s just a fighter. The most inspiration I have from him is no matter what court he’s playing, whether it’s an ITF or Centre Court here, he’s putting 100 per cent effort into that. It’s really unfortunate he couldn’t get one last healthy match out here ’cause I definitely think he deserves to end his career in his terms… He’s definitely an icon of the sport. He’s had an incredible career that a lot of people dream of.”
Andyyy🥺😭
We couldn’t wish for better support for women’s tennis. Thank you for everything, it was a privilege to stand on Center Court tonight. Congratulations on your amazing career. You are amazing @andy_murray 🫶🏼— Iga Świątek (@iga_swiatek) July 4, 2024
Feliciano Lopez
The Spaniard who did the double at Queens in 2019 (and his doubles partner was Murray, who was on his comeback from hip resurfacing) focussed on the Brit and his refusal to give in. In his social media post Lopez said that his legacy would remain forever.
Many more of the past and present players also gave their appreciation to the Brit on his last Wimbledon, which has been confirmed by Murray himself. Murray still hopes to play mixed doubles at Wimbledon, and mens doubles at the Olympics before finally hanging up his playing racquet.
Andy, you are an absolute legend in every sense of the word! You refused to give up when everyone else had done it and this legacy will stay with us forever. 🫶 pic.twitter.com/ey47zwqbMW
— Feliciano López (@feliciano_lopez) July 5, 2024
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane – USA TODAY Sports
