Tennis - Moved to tears - Murray bids farewell to Wimbledon
The most emotional moment of this Wimbledon edition was when Andy Murray was moved to tears. He surprised us. One of the most influential tennis players of the recent history bid farewell from Wimbledon on the most significant stage of his sport. And he shared anecdotes that might be uncomfortable.
Murray mentioned that the 2016 title was the most special of his three Grand Slam titles. He truly enjoyed that second triumph in Wimbledon. But: "I don't remember much about that night", he joked: "I had a few drinks and unfortunately gave myself over to the taxi on the way home."
Murray talks about the first meeting with his wife
On the most significant tennis courts, Murray is known for his tenacious attitude, fighting and never giving up. He managed to come back after all his injuries as well. But the 37-year-old Scot, born in Dunblane and a four-time father, has other sides.
The taxi scene was not the only story he gave his best performance on that Thursday evening. In a moving ceremony, a film with highlights and lowlights of his career and tributes from Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Rafael Nadal was shown on the video screen.
Current and former tennis greats like Djokovic, Martina Navratilova, and John McEnroe came to console Murray after his lost doubles match with brother Jamie Murray on the court.
Murray also remembered how he met his wife when he was 18. They had been eating in New York, he had taken her to her hotel, and then asked for her email address. He didn't think that was normal, he said, smiling.
In the first match they watched together at the US Open, he had surrendered twice. Once before she sat down. Once on the opponent's bag: "She apparently still liked me."
Celebrated like a current Wimbledon champion
To the 37-year-old, with his wife, two of his four children, and his mother, who taught him tennis, present in the stands, the ceremony should forever be a special chapter in his career. Similar to a tournament winner, the former world number one showed herself later on the balcony and let herself be cheered on by the fans.
Murray had wanted to say goodbye with one last singles match at Wimbledon. But his body was not ready. A back surgery, during which a cyst was removed, had stopped him just before Wimbledon.
"I want to keep playing forever. I love this sport. It has given me so much. It has taught me so many lessons over the years that I can use for the rest of my life. I don't want to stop", said Murray, who has been playing with a hip joint made of metal since the operation.
He leaves the sport in peace: "I am ready to retire because I can no longer play at the level I want to."
He made the Big Three the Big Four
Wimbledon is the place of his greatest triumphs. Here he ended the wait of the Brits for a homegrown champion in 2013 and won the hearts of the Brits. The best British tennis player of the post-war era will now go down as one of the few who managed to take titles away from the overpowering trio of Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic during their golden era.
"They were all good, you know", Murray said dryly about Federer, Djokovic, and Nadal. "It wasn't exactly easy to get past them."
"With his play mainly focused on defense and counter-attacks, with much running, Murray won Wimbledon twice (in 2013 and 2016), two Olympic golds (in 2012 and 2016), and a title at the US Open (in 2012).
"Such an inspiration and a role model! What a career and what a legacy", wrote Carlos Alcaraz (21) on X. The world number one Iga Swiatek said: "We couldn't imagine better support for women's tennis. Thank you for everything, it was a privilege to stand with you tonight on Centre Court."
Is this a farewell this time for good?
However, it's not quite over yet. At the Paris Olympics at the end of July, Murray intends to compete, before retiring. In Wimbledon, he will present himself in the Mixed with Emma Raducanu.
To this farewell story belongs also the fact that it already looked like the end of his career once. At the end of January 2019, the Scot spoke tearfully at the Australian Open in Melbourne that he might have to retire soon due to his physical suffering.
Alexander Zverev therefore speculated before the doubles and the ceremony that we would be sitting here and talking about the impending retirement of Murray's next year. This time, however, it had to be a farewell for good."
Andy Murray's emotional farewell at Wimbledon was celebrated by tennis greats from around the world, including Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer. They all paid tribute to Murray in a moving ceremony displayed on the video screen.
Murray's brother, Jamie, also joined him on the court for a lost doubles match, with fellow tennis legends like Djokovic, Martina Navratilova, and John McEnroe offering their support.
Despite his retirement, Murray still intends to compete in the Paris Olympics at the end of July and in the Mixed Doubles at Wimbledon with Emma Raducanu.
Reflecting on his career, Murray mentioned that his three Grand Slam titles, including two Wimbledon wins, were significant accomplishments. He also shared an amusing story about giving himself to a taxi on the way home after winning the 2016 title.
Born and raised in Great Britain, Murray's greatest triumph at Wimbledon was ending the wait for a homegrown champion in 2013. He became a role model and inspiration for young players, including current world number one, Carlos Alcaraz.
Murray's unique playing style, primarily focused on defense and counter-attacks, made him a formidable opponent even against the Big Three - Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic. His title wins at Wimbledon, Olympics, and US Open are clear evidence of his skill and determination.
Despite the emotional farewell, Murray remains optimistic about the future and grateful for the lessons tennis has taught him. He plans to continue playing as long as he can, even with a metal hip joint after surgery.
As a tribute to Murray's legacy, Iga Swiatek, the women's world number one, expressed her gratitude for his support in women's tennis. She considered it a privilege to stand alongside him on Centre Court.
