Andy Murray received a hero’s reception as he began his final Wimbledon alongside his brother Jamie, but the Centre Court crowd couldn’t inspire them to victory.
Playing together in men’s doubles at the All England Club for the first time, the Murrays were defeated 7-6 (8-6), 6-4 by Australian duo Rinky Hijikata and John Peers.
Despite the loss, the atmosphere was electric, with the crowd giving a warm welcome to the two-time singles champion and his brother, a seven-time Grand Slam doubles champion. Their father Willie, mother Judy, Andy’s wife Kim, and his oldest daughters, Sophia and Edie, were all present to support them.
The tennis seemed almost incidental compared to the emotional significance of the match. Murray, troubled by his back, showed his usual resilience, but the Australian pair proved too strong in the end.
Reflecting on their partnership, Andy said, “It was really special, we never got the chance to do it before. The way it worked out, there was a chance this year. He asked me, and it was a bit of a race against time to get out here. It physically wasn’t easy, but I’m glad we were able to get out here and do it one time together.”
Andy Murray also reflected on his career competing against tennis legends Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic, acknowledging the challenges and expressing his gratitude for having been part of such a competitive era.
The crowd witnessed a tearful Murray paying tribute to his inner circle, including his parents and wife Kim, for their unwavering support throughout his career. He also shared a heartfelt message about his love for the sport and his struggle with the decision to retire due to physical challenges.
As Murray steps away from competitive tennis, his legacy as one of the sport’s greats and his emotional connection to Wimbledon will be remembered by fans and fellow players alike.
