Andy Murray speaks to Sue Barker during his Wimbledon farewell presentation (Image: Getty)
Andy Murray is gearing up for his mixed doubles match with Emma Raducanu today at Wimbledon.
Andy Murray is looking forward to a “fun” run in the mixed doubles with Emma Raducanu after admitting his emotional turmoil in the build-up to his final Wimbledon.
The three-time Grand Slam champion fought back tears during the heart-felt tributes to his career in a Centre Court ceremony after his men’s doubles defeat
But the Scot, 37, appeared almost relieved in his post-match press conference at the end of a draining last two weeks.
Since limping out of Queen’s Club, he has undergone surgery to remove a spinal cyst and returned to the practice court in an impossible race against time to get fit for a final singles appearance in SW19.
Not since David Beckham’s broken metatarsal before the 2002 World Cup has there been such a high-profile race against time to be fit for a big tournament. And Murray has lived out his personal psycho-drama with public daily updates.
The former world No.1 had to settle for doubles – and his limited movement in the Murray brothers’ first round loss showed it was the right decision. “It was hard physically for me anyway,” he said. “I was fortunate I was even able to get on the court to play.”
He had wanted to feel the “buzz” again and get “closure” – and he got that in a tense doubles encounter and a wonderfully warm ovation.
After all the angst and uncertainty, the Scot will partner Raducanu today against Shuai Zhang of China and Marcelo Arevalo of El Salvador with a lot less pressure and expectation.
The Scot explained: “Because I knew definitively that that was going to be the last time I’m playing here, the buildup to the match and everything, the last week and everything, has been really emotional for me. Every time I was on my own, I found myself getting a bit emotional and thinking about it and everything.
“I’m glad that it’s done now. Obviously try and enjoy the mixed doubles in a couple days’ time. It should be fun.”
Murray smiled that the video tribute played by the Australian Open was “a bit premature” and he appreciated the All England Club version.
“It wasn’t something that I’d asked for but I’m thankful to them that they did it,” he said. “They did a really nice job this evening. 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.”
Both Novak Djokovic and Alex Zverev have suggested Murray could yet return to play singles here again next year at the age of 38.
Metal-hipped Murray, who still plans to play the Olympics, said: “I can still win matches at this level. There’s no question that if, even with the physical issues around the hip, I was still able to compete at the highest level.
“I could definitely still win matches here 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. I ‘m ready to finish playing,I know that it’s time now. Yeah, I’m ready for that.”
