Andy Murray’s emotional Wimbledon farewell is underway after he played his opening match at this year’s Championships on Thursday with Jamie Murray.
Australian pair John Peers and Rinky Hijikata beat the Murray brothers 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 in their first-round men’s doubles match on Centre Court, with fans keen to watch one of the country’s greatest ever sportsmen for one of the last times.
Murray, a two-time men’s singles champion in SW19, who is set to retire after the Olympic Games in Paris later this summer, is making his final appearance at Wimbledon and is also featuring in mixed doubles alongside Emma Raducanu.
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.
Murray 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.
It didn’t last long, though, much to the disappointment of the crowd, as the Australians managed to break back and level up the second set before winning 7-6 (8-6) 6-4.
Ultimately – the result wasn’t too important. This was an opportunity for a lot of fans to say goodbye to a true icon of British sport.
Soon after the match ended, the legendary Sue Barker walked out onto the court with a microphone in hand, calling Murray up for an interview, as spectators outside Centre Court on Murray Mound loudly cheered.
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.
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.
‘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, who paid an emotional tribute to his coaching team as well as his family, was also asked about winning the first of his two Olympic gold medals.
‘Definitely to that point it was the biggest week of my life,’ Murray added. ‘To turn that around after losing in the final of Wimbledon and then to come here and play, it was one of my favourite days I’ve ever had, certainly as an athlete.
‘To play in a home Olympic Games at Wimbledon, to beat Roger for once in a big match was nice and then I had a great run in the mixed doubles with Laura Robson as well so yeah, it was an amazing week for me.’
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 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.
‘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 – although that is far from being confirmed.
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