They left all that behind and gathered at Center Court, wearing Wimbledon-colored blankets and covering bare necks with scarves as the sun began to set. Just after 7 p.m., everyone was eager to pick up Andy Murray, who started the first wave of applause as he picked up his phone and walked to the court free-handed.
“Come on, Andy!” Before the umpire finished the coin toss, a fan shouted in that familiar tone.
The outcry continued throughout the night, from voices young and old alike, to captain and older brother Jamie at the devastation caused by Australians John Pearce and Rink Hijikata for generations.
The two-time Wimbledon champion brought British tennis back to glory and his legacy is perhaps the most relevant and ardent member of the recent golden age of men’s tennis, still playing club tennis throughout England. He will partner fellow countryman Emma Raducanu in the mixed draw.
But the 37-year-old, who was officially dismissed from the tournament after Thursday’s 7-6 (8-6), 6-4 loss, is clearly struggling with mobility problems since undergoing surgery on June 22. Behind him. The procedure was the latest in a marathon cycle of injuries and rehabilitation that has stuck with Murray since 2018, the first of two major hip operations. In the year He bounced back in 2019 from a second, irrevocably with an iron hip – he won just one trophy but reminded fans of his championship will and unwavering passion with every grueling match.
Thursday’s match itself felt close to the point – except that he gave his mother Judy; his father, Will; his wife, Kim; And their two older children have the chance to watch him play his first Grand Slam with his older brother.
“Our words don’t do justice to how good he is,” a night of tributes could begin with an impressive winners’ speech before a peer passed the microphone.
Sue Barker, a former BBC player and popular TV presenter, rained down the “Suuuuuue” chants as British tennis was celebrated in its entirety. She began by asking Murray about his first Wimbledon final in 2012, which he lost to Roger Federer. The question gave the Scotsman a chance to remind the tennis world of what he misses in his nature – equal parts dry, acerbic and deeply sincere.
“I’m not saying I’m very outgoing or a down-to-earth personality,” Murray lamented about that loss. But I think people saw how much I care about sports – for the first time, maybe.
Later that year, he won the first of three Grand Slam titles at the US Open, then became the first Englishman to beat Novak Djokovic in Wimbledon singles in 77 years. His second Wimbledon crown came in 2016.
Murray recalled the face of an impressive line-up Thursday. John McEnroe, Martina Navratilova, Conchita Martinez, Iga Switek, Djokovic and current British No. 1 Jack Draper attended the on-court ceremony, with Federer, Rafael Nadal and Djokovic taking turns to play Murray. A video back His career. Venus Williams was also part of the video as a friend and fellow champion to ensure gender equality in tennis. Murray was the rare male player who was an advocate for women’s tennis throughout his career. Editing of reporters He ignored the success of women players.
He said he hopes fans will remember him for his dedication.
“What I’ve done well in my career, regardless of the highs and lows – winning races, heavy losses, surgery, setbacks – … I think I’ve always come to work.” As always with hard work, work ethic and passion,” Murray said. “…I certainly didn’t always get it right. On game days, I was by no means perfect, but I always came to work and had a great day. I tried my best.”
After all the excitement and circumstance, Murray admits how difficult even a doubles match can be. He clearly had mobility issues, sometimes drawing gasps from the crowd when he went up well after a shot and couldn’t serve anywhere near his top speed.
He reiterated that his love of tennis never faded and he retired. As it happened to many of his peers, his body determined the end of his career. Murray says he has made peace with that. He plans to go on vacation with his family, play in the Paris Olympics and then retire.
“That’s something, yes, something out of my control. If I knew my body could do it, I would play – there is nothing I hate about sports and … I don’t want to do it because of that. I love the traveler. I love the competition, practicing, trying to get better, all those things,” Murray said. “Now I know it’s time. I am ready for that.
After the tribute, Murray left center court, stopped to hug every former player he saw, and walked around the stadium until he was on the sidewalk above the stadium. Members of the crowd realized that they could catch one more glimpse of their local champion and rushed to bid farewell.