Andy Murray‘s bittersweet Wimbledon farewell has begun when he faced Jamie Murray in his opening match of the year at the Championships.
In their first-round men’s doubles match on Center Court, Australians John Peers and Rinky Hijikata defeated the Murray brothers 7-6 (8-6) 6-4, capturing the attention of spectators eager to witness one of the nation’s finest athletes for the final time.
In addition to playing in mixed doubles with Emma Raducanu, Murray, a two-time SW19 men’s singles winner, is making his last Wimbledon appearance before retiring following the Olympic Games in Paris later this summer.
The 37-year-old was unable to get himself fully fit for the Wimbledon singles, pulling out of Tuesday’s first-round match against Tomas Machac at the last minute, conceding defeat to a nasty back injury which required an operation.
Former world No.1 Murray was celebrated on the court after Thursday’s match with a special ceremony to recognise his incredible achievements in the sport.
‘It is hard, because I would love to keep playing but I can’t,’ Murray said about his upcoming retirement. ‘Physically it’s just too tough now. All of the injuries have added up and like I said they haven’t been insignificant.
‘I want to play forever. I love this sport. It’s given me so much, taught me loads of lessons over the years that I can use for the rest of my life. I don’t want to stop so it is hard.’
Of all the memories Andy Murray has given us, one stands above the rest.
On 7 July 2013, in living rooms and town squares across the country, we celebrated the end of a 77-year-wait… pic.twitter.com/j23kLcwkRE
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 4, 2024
Murray’s send-off started the moment he walked out onto a packed Centre Court and was greeted by a loud and emotional ovation, with most spectators standing for a good minute or two.
They stayed on their feet as the Murray brothers stepped into the middle, with Andy raising his racket to the adoring crowd to acknowledge their support.
There were huge cheers as Murray, who ended Britain’s 77-year wait for a men’s Wimbledon champion in 2013 before adding a second in 2016, was called to serve for the first time in the second game of the first set.
There were worrying signs at the end of game three, though, when Murray winced and walked in the opposite direction to the ball.
It showcased exactly why he was not fit enough to play in this year’s singles – but he was very much able to continue – despite the fact he was constantly stretching his back out and didn’t look 100 per cent comfortable, making the crowd anxious.
The last time a first-round men’s doubles match was played on Centre Court was in 1995 and it was Peers and Hijikata – playing together for the first time – who narrowly edged ahead, taking the first set 7-6 (8-6) after a close-fought tie-break.
Mark Woodforde, a 17-time major doubles champion, said that the match was like a ‘final’ with ‘so much tension’ that it felt like ‘sudden death’ – and he was exactly right – as Centre Court fell into a dramatic silence while Peers and Hijikata roared.
‘Not too quick Andy – I’ve got a babysitter!’ One fan shouted from the crowd to lighten the mood after the British duo fell behind to their Australian opponents.
The mood dramatically changed at the start of the second set as the Murray brothers secured a vital break – and this time it was the Brits who were roaring.
To the dismay of the spectators, it did not last long as the Australians broke back to tie the second set and ultimately win 7-6 (8-6) 6-4.
In the end, the outcome wasn’t all that significant. Many supporters used this chance to bid farewell to a real British sports star.
The crowd outside Centre Court on Murray Mound erupted in cheers shortly after the match concluded, and the great Sue Barker emerged onto the court, microphone in hand, inviting Murray up for an interview.
Here's a very special guest for a very special player 🤩#BBCTennis #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/Kh0DaXIXKC
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 4, 2024
Murray looked shocked as Barker appeared – clearly unaware that it was planned – and he was seen holding back tears.
Barker told Murray to look up at the big screen as messages poured in from Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams.
A host of Grand Slam champions then appeared on court including Djokovic, Martina Navratilova and John McEnroe.
Not a dry eye on Centre Court.
They love you, @andy_murray 💚 pic.twitter.com/dgas9hPEHx
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 4, 2024
Murray’s British compatriots Dan Evans, Cameron Norrie and Jack Draper were also present.
‘Yeah it was obviously really special,’ Murray told Barker about playing doubles with his brother Jamie.
‘We never got the chance to do it before. There was a chance this year. Jamie’s usual partner was playing with Neal Skupski so he asked me.
You made us dream.
You made us believe.
You made us cry.
And you made us proud. pic.twitter.com/yNsnkEsEhc— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 4, 2024
‘Obviously it was a bit of a race against time to try and get out here and physically it wasn’t easy today but I’m glad we were able to get out here and do this one time together.’
Every time Murray appeared to pull himself together, Centre Court loudly cheered and he looked like he was going to burst into tears again each time.
Barker then took Murray firmly down memory lane as the pair talked about some of the biggest moments in his tennis career.
Quizzed about losing to Roger Federer in the 2012 Wimbledon final, Murray said: ‘It’s always really difficult to speak after a loss, particularly after a Grand Slam final and being at Wimbledon.
‘That’s the closest I had been and it was obviously difficult. It was quite an important moment in my career. I’m not saying I’m the most outgoing or bubbly personality, but I think people probably saw how much I cared about the sport for the first time maybe.
‘Obviously it was an important match and important moment in my career.’
Murray was asked about winning the first of his two Olympic gold medals. He gave a tearful homage to his coaching staff and family.
“That was the biggest week of my life, without a doubt,” Murray continued. Turning it around after losing in the Wimbledon final and then coming to play here was one of my best days ever—at least in my athletic career.
“It was an amazing week for me,” the athlete said. “To play in a home Olympic Games at Wimbledon, and to beat Roger for once in a big match was nice.” “I also had a great run in the mixed doubles with Laura Robson.”
Speaking about his first Wimbledon title in 2013, Murray said: ‘I did find it pretty stressful to be honest with you. It wasn’t easy but I obviously had an amazing team of people around me, supporting me through all of that.
‘The crowd support obviously made a huge difference. Playing at a home is obviously a huge advantage in al sports and I used it that day.
‘Novak [Djokovic] had an off day obviously. I just managed to get over the line. I didn’t really actually enjoy it as much as I should’ve done. I just found the whole thing very, very stressful.’
Discussing his battles with Djokovic, Nadal and Federer over the years, Murray added: ‘They were alright weren’t they?
‘They weren’t the easiest guys to get past. I was obviously incredibly fortunate to play in this time and I think all tennis fans have been incredibly lucky to witness what they’ve obviously gone on to achieve.
‘It’s been incredible to watch what they’ve done. It’s been incredible to be a part of some of the matches in major championships with them over the years.
"I better say something about my wife, otherwise I'll get in trouble."
A lovely moment as Andy Murray pays a touching tribute to his soulmate ❤️#BBCTennis #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/pAEDOFX17G
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 4, 2024
‘I was fortunate to manage to get through them a couple of time in big moments but what a time to be on the tour.’
On winning Wimbledon in 2016, Murray said: ‘[It] was really different. I felt way less pressure and the enjoyment I got out of that win was totally different to 2013.
‘I had an amazing evening that night with my all friends and family, properly went out and enjoyed it with the people closest to me.
Forever a hero of SW19 ❤️🇬🇧#Wimbledon | @andy_murray pic.twitter.com/cSXftOoiW5
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 4, 2024
‘Of my Slams, 2016 was my favourite one. I don’t remember much of that night. I had a few drinks and I did unfortunately vomit in the cab on the way home!’
Murray will now turn his attentions towards the mixed doubles where he and Raducanu face Marcelo Arevalo and Zhang Shuai in the first round.
Meanwhile, Djokovic believes his old rival may make a U-turn and return to play Wimbledon singles in 2025 – which Murray was quizzed about in his post-match press conference.
‘Before what happened in Miami I was starting to play good tennis,’ Murray said. ‘At Queens I got through the first round. I can still win matches at this level. Even with the physical issues around the hip, I was still able to compete at the highest level.
‘Not as consistently as I would’ve liked. Certainly not having the results I would’ve wanted. But yeah, I can definitely still win matches here or on the grass once I’m recovered from the back injury. But I don’t want to do that now. I know I could do it, but I have no plans to play singles again.’