By Tony Fairbairn at Wimbledon
- Andy Murray has admitted he is ‘ready’ for retirement after bidding Centre Court farewell.
LONDON, ENGLAND – Andy Murray has admitted that he is ‘ready’ for retirement after his Centre Court farewell at Wimbledon.
 |
It was an emotional evening for the Murray family as Andy Murray said his farewells to Centre Court after he and Jamie Murray lost in straight sets to Rinky Hijikata and John Peers.
It was a tight and entertaining match but the Australian duo won all the big points to claim victory and seal their place in the second round.
After the match Jamie spoke about the match itself and what it was like to play with his brother on Centre Court.
“Yeah, I think it was a fun experience for me to be out there and play with him. Obviously it was kind of strange knowing what the sort of background to the match was,” Jamie said in their joint press conference.
“But yeah, it was cool to be able to do that. I think the club did a really nice kind of tribute at the end. It was really nice that so many players stuck around for that, as well. It was nice to see some of the guys on court with Andy afterwards.”
The thing Jamie is referring to is the multiple guests that were on court to celebrate Murray’s career which included John McEnroe, Martina Navratilova, Sue Barker, Novak Djokovic, Jack Draper and Tim Henman.
There was also a fitting tribute video for Murray’s career in what was a very emotional evening on Centre Court.
Speaking after the match Murray admitted the tribute video was nice and that the All-England club were always planning to do one for the two-time champion.
“Yeah, look, it was really nice. When the video was playing, my head was spinning a lot. I know I’m about to have to speak. It’s difficult in those moments ’cause there’s a lot of people you want to thank and address, but it is not easy. It was pretty emotional, as well.” Murray candidly explained.
“Yeah, watching the video was nice, but hard as well, for me because you know it’s coming to the end of something that you’ve absolutely loved doing, yeah, for such a long time. So that’s difficult. I mean, obviously have very close, good relationships with the British guys that were there, but there’s also a number of players there on that court that I have enormous respect for, some of the greatest players in the history of the game and stuff. It was really nice that they, yeah, stuck behind because we did finish quite late. I know some of them have had matches today. They might want to get themselves off to bed and recovering.
“No, it wasn’t something that I’d asked for. When I was making the decision around the singles, the club spoke to me and said they would like to do something after one of my matches here. I think if I’d played singles, then would do it after I potentially lost in the singles. If the singles doesn’t happen, we’d like to have it after the first doubles match, regardless of the result. Yeah, it wasn’t something I said, Please, please, can you do this for me.
“But yeah, I’m thankful to them that they did it because… Yeah, I don’t know. Yeah, I don’t know, it feels like an ending to me. Whether I deserve it or not, I don’t know. But they did a really, really good job.”
It was an incredible evening which perfectly summed up Murray’s career in a nutshell which will leave a defining legacy on British tennis.
Murray was asked about what legacy he will leave behind and admitted he finds it hard to answer those questions.
“I find them quite difficult questions for me to answer because I don’t think it’s for me to sort of say, like, how I’d want other people to view me,” Murray said.
“There’s things in my career that I’m really proud of. I certainly didn’t get everything right during my career. I was far from perfect. I think the thing, yeah, that I did a really good job of during my career was that, regardless of the highs and lows, whether it was winning tournaments, having difficult losses, an operation, a setback, that I was able to treat, like, the next day, like I always came into work with the same dedication, work ethic, and passion, as I had the day before, regardless of the highs and lows that the sport kind of has thrown at me.
“I certainly didn’t always get it right. Like on the match days, I was not perfect by any stretch, but I did always come into work and put in a good day. I gave my best effort. Yeah, that’s what I’m proud of. So I guess, I don’t know, it’s for other people to decide what my legacy would be. That’s the thing I’m most proud of.”
 |
Murray ‘ready’ for retirement after Centre Court closure
This time last year Murray stated that he didn’t know when the end of his career will be as he seemed to have the fire to carry on and make progress.
However a number of injuries have significantly changed his plans as he now aims to move on from the sport he’s loved for so long.
The former world number one has now revealed he is ‘ready’ for retirement even if it is a difficult decision to make.
“Look, I’m ready to finish playing,” Murray explained.
“I don’t want that to be the case. I would love to play, like I said, forever. But, like, today, even though it was a doubles match where physically it’s obviously not as demanding, it’s still really hard for me. My serve speeds and everything are like so far behind where they usually would be. I’m sure that would come back with time once I recover from the injury and everything.
“Yeah, this year’s been tough with the ankle, then obviously the back surgery, obviously the hip. Yeah, I’m ready to finish playing because I can’t play to the level that I would want to anymore. That’s something that, yeah, I guess is a bit out of my control.
“If I knew my body was going to be able to do it, I would play — there’s nothing about the sport that I hate and I’m like, I don’t want to do it anymore for this reason. I like the traveling. I love the competition, practicing, trying to get better, all those things.
“Yeah, I know that it’s time now. Yeah, I’m ready for that.”
Before Murray officially finishes his career he still has unfinished business as he will play mixed doubles with Emma Raducanu before finishing his career at the Olympics in Paris.
“I mean, they did a really nice job this evening. I’m glad that it’s done now,” a relieved Murray concluded.
“Obviously try and enjoy the mixed doubles in a couple days’ time. It should be fun. Then, yeah, got a family holiday planned after this, then the Olympics, that’s it.”
The Olympics starts on the 27th of July and concludes on the fourth of August.
How to Watch/Follow Wimbledon 2024
| TV | Across BBC Channels & Red Button |
| Live Stream | BBC Sport |
| Live Scores | Tennis Scores Powered By TNNSLIVE |
 Sign up to PBLC for free to support ongoing contributions from Britwatch Sports |
| Follow Britwatch - Sport in General, Brits in Particular! | |
|---|---|
| Soundcloud | |
| YouTube | |
| We may receive compensation for products purchased via affiliate links on this website | |