Andy Murray’s emotional Wimbledon farewell started on Thursday (Picture: Gety)
Andy Murray has ‘no plans’ to play singles tennis ever again after the Olympic Games in Paris, despite Novak Djokovic tipping him to return to Wimbledon.
Former world No.1 Murray, one of the greatest and most loved British sportsmen of all time – who won two Wimbledon titles, two Olympic gold medals, the US Open and the Davis Cup – is nearing retirement at the age of 37 with a metal hip.
The upcoming Olympic tennis tournament, which scheduled to run from July 27 to August 4 on the famous clay courts at Roland-Garros, the home of the French Open, is Murray’s final event in singles tennis before hanging up his racket.
Murray, though, has appeared to open the door to continuing in doubles, only specifically mentioning singles in his post-match press conference on Thursday when asked about Djokovic’s claim that the Brit could play Wimbledon 2025.
The British hero smiled when told about Djokovic’s comments that Murray ‘could probably play singles next year’ and that the Serbian was ‘hoping’ for a U-turn.
Asked if he was ‘tempted’ to play Wimbledon singles in 2025, Murray insisted that he wasn’t but did not seem to rule out doubles and said: ‘Before what happened in Miami (a nasty ankle injury) I was starting to play good tennis.
‘At Queens I got through the first round. I can still win matches at this level. Even with the physical issues around the hip, I was still able to compete at the highest level.
Novak Djokovic tipped Andy Murray to play Wimbledon 2025 singles (Picture: Getty)
‘Not as consistently as I would’ve liked. Certainly not having the results I would’ve wanted.
‘But yeah, I can definitely still win matches here or 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.’
Murray lost in the first round of the Wimbledon men’s doubles on Thursday but he still has mixed doubles to play alongside fellow British star Emma Raducanu.
They face Marcelo Arevalo and Zhang Shuai in the first round – and ahead of that match – Raducanu has warned Murray about her inexperience in doubles tennis.
Should they lose, it would mean that Murray will not be playing any more matches at Wimbledon 2024 and it could be the last match he ever plays at the All England Club if he does not return for doubles at the 2025 Championships.
Murray, though, recently told Metro.co.uk all about his appreciation for doubles tennis how it was ‘different’ to singles.
It seems Andy Murray has not ruled out continuing in doubles (Picture: PA)
‘Training for doubles is slightly different to the singles,’ he said. ‘We work a lot on my reflexes so I do exercises like ball snatches with multiple balls moving at the same time.
‘It’s quite intense but it really focuses your hand eye coordination. We spend a lot of time working on net play too and communication as that’s key in doubles.
‘Playing with Jamie, we know each other so well, that definitely helps. And Emma and I will be spending some time on court practising together as well so we can work as a team when we get to our first match.’
The Murray brothers lost to Rinky Hijikata and John Peers (Picture: PA)
Australian tennis star Max Purcell, speaking to Metro.co.uk in 2022, passionately defended doubles tennis and urged the ATP to do more to promote it.
‘I personally prefer watching doubles to singles,’ he said. ‘It’s so much more exciting. It’s a faster, shorter format and there’s more tension there.
‘I’m watching Alexander Zverev play Diego Schwartzman and it’s just 60-ball rallies from the back with no exciting net play. I want to watch doubles.
‘Doubles isn’t marketed at all through the ATP. A Tour final in doubles and [they] won’t even show it, what are you saying about our sport? It’s like it doesn’t even matter.’
Andy Murray: ‘It’s for other people to decide what my legacy would be’
Andy Murray clinched the Wimbledon title in 2013 and 2016 (Picture: Getty)
Andy Murray’s emotional Wimbledon farewell got underway after he played his opening match at this year’s Championships on Thursday with Jamie Murray.
Murray was celebrated on Centre Court after the first-round doubles clash with a special ceremony to recognise his incredible achievements in the sport.
Speaking in his post-match press conference, Murray was asked how he would like to be remembered.
‘I find that quite difficult to answer,’ he said. ‘I don’t think it’s for me to say how other people should view me. There are things in my career I’m really proud of. I didn’t get everything right in my career. I was far from perfect.
‘But I did a really good job during my career regardless of the highs and lows. Whether it’s winning tournaments or having tough losses or an having an operation… I always came into work with the same dedication and passion as the day before.
‘Regardless of the highs and lows the sport has thrown at me. I always came into work and put in a good day. I gave my best effort. That’s what I’m proud of. I guess it’s for other people to decide what my legacy would be. That’s what I’m most proud of.’
Andy Murray: ‘Watching the video was nice but hard’
Soon after Thursday’s match ended, the legendary Sue Barker walked out onto the court with a microphone in hand, calling Andy Murray up for an interview.
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 while Murray’s British compatriots Dan Evans, Cameron Norrie and Jack Draper were also present.
Andy Murray was left in tears during an emotional ceremony (Picture: PA)
‘It was pretty emotional,’ Murray added. ‘Watching the video was nice but hard as well for me. Because you know it’s coming to the end of something you’ve absolutely loved doing for such a long time.
‘So that’s difficult. It’s really nice a lot of the players stayed. I’ve had very close relationships with the British guys but there were a lot of players on that court I have enormous respect for.
‘Some of the greatest players in the history of the game. Some of them had matches today. It was really nice they stayed.’
Andy Murray gave Novak Djokovic a massive hug on Thursday (Picture: Getty)
Andy Murray: ‘I didn’t know my two daughters were coming!’
Andy Murray, quizzed about his two daughters watching him on Centre Court, said: ‘I didn’t know they were coming! When we were waiting in the locke room I saw on TV they were there next to my wife.
‘It was nice. They’ve only been to one other match I played… It was nice they managed to make it. The second kid was struggling I think. I should call them by their names but I always just go in order! Way past her bedtime. It was lovely they were able to come and watch.’
Iga Swiatek: ‘We couldn’t wish for better support for women’s tennis!’
Wimbledon star Coco Gauff, the world No.2 in women’s tennis, recently hailed Andy Murray for supporting the female side of the sport.
The Briton is a proud feminist who has repeatedly called out sexism and spoken out for gender equality – with world No.1 Iga Swiatek now also lauding him.
‘We couldn’t wish for better support for women’s tennis,’ Swiatek posted on X. ‘Thank you for everything, it was a privilege to stand on Centre Court tonight. Congratulations on your amazing career. You are amazing.’