Wimbledon star Carlos Alcaraz has spoken out in tribute to Andy Murray (Image: GETTY)
Carlos Alcaraz was glaringly absent as a whole host of tennis stars paid tribute to Andy Murray on Centre Court.
Carlos Alcaraz has spoken out in tribute to Andy Murray after deciding not to join Wimbledon star Novak Djokovic and fellow tennis heroes on Centre Court to bid farewell to the Briton. Murray broke down in tears in front of the Wimbledon crowd after Sue Barker returned to interview him following his doubles match on Thursday evening.
Murray teamed up with brother Jamie as the duo went head-to-head with Rinky Hijikata and John Peers in the first round of the men’s doubles. But the Australian pair clinched a 7-6, 6-4 victory to progress to the second round.
After the match had come to an end, current players as well as icons including John McEnroe and Tim Henman entered the court as Murray addressed the Centre Court fans. But Alcaraz was glaringly absent.
The reigning Wimbledon men’s champion was no doubt watching footage of the tribute live on his television screen, however, and was clearly touched by it as he wrote on X: “Andy! Such an inspiration and example for everyone! What a career and what a legacy!”
Murray has enjoyed an illustrious career at the pinnacle of the game and claimed his first Wimbledon title in 2013 following a victory over long-term nemesis Djokovic.
The 37-year-old had already won the Olympic men’s singles gold at SW19 a year previously after getting the better of Roger Federer in the showpiece event. And Murray defeated the Swiss star to lift the Wimbledon trophy for a second time in 2016.
Murray was due to play in this year’s singles event at Wimbledon but was forced to withdraw ahead of his first round match against Tomas Machas after failing to recover from a back operation on time. He is scheduled to play in the mixed doubles alongside Emma Raducanu later this week.
And as he spoke to Barker on Centre Court, a teary Murray explained: “It was obviously very special to play with Jamie, we’ve not the chance to do it before.
“It was a race against time to get out here and physically it wasn’t easy but I’m glad we were able to do it one time together.
“I’m not never going to come back here. It depends who I’m watching. I hate watching my brother – I find it really difficult to watch my brother play.
“But I love tennis, I watch it a lot. I would probably be more comfortable sitting up there in the coaching box.”
And he added: “It is hard because I want to keep playing, but I can’t. Physically it’s too tough now. I want to play forever. I love the sport.”
