What a lovely goodbye that was: sweet, smart, and stained in tears. And nobody in the history of British tennis has deserved such a grandstanding, no-holds-barred, full-on sentimental farewell as much as Andy Murray.
There was the twice Wimbledon champion, in the middle of Centre Court, the place he has graced so often over the past two decades, his back stooped by injury, choking back the tears. Up in the stands his mum Judy was caught by the cameras crying, nearby Andyâs wife Kim was failing to hold back the moment, down by the umpireâs chair his brother Jamie, with whom he had just played a doubles match, was in floods.
Indeed, all round the court and up in the packed stands, there were more tears than a drunken hen night. These were the tears of knowing we will not see his like again.
Well, at least not until he plays in the mixed doubles on Saturday. You might have thought the last actual match at Wimbledon might have been the time to say goodbye. But if he was going to get the grand send off on the nationâs televisions, this was the perfect time to do it. On election night, with the BBC obliged not to mention the word politics until the polls closed, here was the ideal moment to give him as much time as was needed.
In truth, the farewells began before his match had even started. The BBC cameras followed him from the dressing room through to the court, knowing the significance of what was going to happen. It was not hard to have some sympathy with John Peers and Rinky Hijikata, the Aussie pair playing the Murray boys, immediately cast as the party poopers. But as it turned out, their victory made them the party starters.
The moment it was over, and they had done their post-match victory interview, things got under way. And what a great nostalgic half hour it was. From nowhere, Sue Barker appeared. The woman whose graceful presentation of BBC tennis had been a constant throughout Murrayâs career, had stepped out of retirement to celebrate the player who has made so many grand broadcasting moments in her time.
As a host, Barker has long known what she is doing. She knows exactly how to push the emotional buttons. And so, after a lovely montage of Murrayâs trophy-laden highlights, after a procession of the great and good of the game â John McEnroe, Martina Navratilova, Novak Djokovic among them â had lined up at the back of court to watch on, she interviewed him about his life and times.
At every turn, she sought to turn on the waterworks. She asked him to remember breaking down in tears in this very place when he lost to Roger Federer in 2012. She asked him to talk about his mum and dad. She asked him to praise his wife.
âWoof,â he said to that, knowing his voice was soon to check.
As he always is, in his replies he was wry and self-deprecating, funny too, albeit that several of his anecdotes featured him vomiting. But perhaps the moment that really caught him out was when Barker asked him how it felt to retire.
âI want to play forever,â he choked. âI love the sport. Itâs given me so much. I donât want to stop.â
But stopping he is, his ravaged body no longer capable of withstanding the necessary exertions to keep him competitive. And after he had hugged everyone in the line, hugged his brother and hugged Sue, he was off. Probably to get his ravaged body ready for its next appointment here.
A couple of days too early, maybe. But it was a send off the man has long earned. A send off everyone there loved. Well, except one person. Murray himself will have hated every minute of it. He had just lost a tennis match. What made him such a magnificent sporting competitor â arguably the greatest these islands have ever produced â was that he found defeat so traumatising he fought with every sinew to stop it happening again. Yet here he was, on Centre Court, being eulogised after a loss. One day he will laugh at the irony of that.
Andy Murrayâs Wimbledon farewell, as it happened
09:40 PM BST
What a night!
09:34 PM BST
âA privilege to stand on Center Courtâ
Andyyyđ„șđ
We couldn’t wish for better support for women’s tennis. Thank you for everything, it was a privilege to stand on Center Court tonight. Congratulations on your amazing career. You are amazing @andy_murray đ«¶đŒâ Iga Świątek (@iga_swiatek) July 4, 2024
09:30 PM BST
Where was Roger Federer?
The Swiss superstar has been at Wimbledon today but he was absent from the Murray presentation aside from the video tribute.
Maybe he will be involved on Saturday if Murrayâs mixed doubles match with Raducanu ends in defeat.
09:23 PM BST
Murray meets his adoring fans on the balcony
09:13 PM BST
Murray runs off again!
The players give Murray a guard of honour and he runs through the middle and off the court.
He will be back. Probably on Saturday for mixed doubles with Emma Raducanu.
09:11 PM BST
âI want to play foreverâ
Murray now explains how he wanted to continue playing but physically he canât anymore.
He then runs over and embraces the all-star cast of players at the back of the court.
09:09 PM BST
Emotional Murray
Murray holds back the tears as Barker encourages him to talk about his family.
He pays tribute to his wife Kim and opens up on meeting for the first time and describes her as âthe best mumâ.
He says he is looking forward to spending more time with her.
09:02 PM BST
Murray the coach?
Murray hints that maybe his future lies in coaching after Barker asks him if he will come back to Wimbledon.
Iâm not never going to come back here!
It depends who Iâm watching. I hate watching my brother. I find it really difficult to watch my brother play. I love tennis. I watch it all the time.
I would probably be more comfortable sitting up there in a coaching box rather than somewhere else.
09:01 PM BST
Barker and Murray reminisce
Barker gets Murray to open up about losing to Roger Federer at Wimbledon but bounces back to win at the Olympics in 2012.
Itâs always really difficult to speak after a loss, particularly after a Grand Slam final and being at Wimbledon.
Thatâs the closest I had been and it was obviously difficult. It was quite an important moment in my career.
Iâm not saying Iâm 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.
They move on to finally winning Wimbledon in 2013 after beating Novak Djokovic in the final.
He admits to vomiting in the cab home after the celebrations in 2016 after beating Milos Raonic.
2016 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 donât remember much of that night. I had a few drinks and I did unfortunately vomit in the cab on the way home.
08:56 PM BST
Murray tribute video
08:53 PM BST
Murray holding back the tears
Mum Judy is crying though in the stands. Let it flow Andy!
08:51 PM BST
Tribute video
A video of Murrayâs best moments is playing for everyone. The crowd applauds when it reaches the moment of his first Wimbledon win.
08:49 PM BST
Murray speaks
Yeah it was obviously really special. We never got the chance to do it before. There was a chance this year.
Jamieâs 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 wasnât easy today but Iâm glad we were able to get out here and do this one time together.
08:48 PM BST
Wow
Sue Barker is here. Tim Henman, Dan Evans, Cam Norrie, Jack Draper, Lleyton Hewitt, Iga Swiatek, Holger Rune, Novak Djokovic, Conchita Martinez, Martina Navratilova and John McEnroe have walked out.
Barker calls Murray over to speak and they share an embrace.
08:45 PM BST
Murray dashes off the court
Muted celebrations for Hijikata & Peers, who deservedly won. Andy M leaves the court for some reason.
It appears there will be a presentation of some sort.
08:43 PM BST
A Murray & J Murray 6-7 (6-8), 4-6 Hijikata & Peers*
Cheers from the crowd as Peers double faults on the opening point. But he responds with a forehand winner that beats Andy M.
Andy M backhand into the net, 30-15.Hijikata volley winner, 40-15. Hijikata volley winner. GAME SET MATCH.
08:40 PM BST
âSurprised at the number of empty seats on Centreâ
Given this is likely to be one of Andyâs last matches at Wimbledon, Iâm surprised at the number of empty seats on Centre right now. The resale ticket queue should have been rammed for this, surely?
08:39 PM BST
A Murray* & J Murray 6-7 (6-8), 4-5 Hijikata & Peers
Must win game for the Murray brothers to prolong this. Jamie M gets back on track with a volley winner, 40-0.
And they do get the hold thanks to a swinging Andy M ace.
08:37 PM BST
A Murray & J Murray 6-7 (6-8), 3-5 Hijikata* & Peers
Top class doubles play by Hijikata again to find the angle with a flicked forehand pass, 15-0.
Jamie M hits a wild volley long, 40-0. Heâs had a shocker in the last few minutes.
Peers volley winner and they move a game away from victory.
08:34 PM BST
A Murray & J Murray* 6-7 (6-8), 3-4 Hijikata & Peers
Too good from Hijikata again as he beats Jamie M with a backhand pass, 0-30. Peers nails Andy M in the chest with a forehand, 0-40. It was a fair but brutal shot.
Andy M saves the first break point with a volley winner. Jamie M double fault. Oh dear.
Hijikata & Peers break and edge a step closer to victory.
08:30 PM BST
A Murray & J Murray 6-7 (6-8), 3-3 Hijikata & Peers*
Hijikata & Peers hold serve again to put the pressure back on the Murrays. They are looking very composed out there.
08:27 PM BST
A Murray* & J Murray 6-7 (6-8), 3-2 Hijikata & Peers
Andy M gets the Murray brothers back on track with a service hold to love. They still believe they can force a third set. If they do, the match will finish under the roof.
08:24 PM BST
A Murray & J Murray 6-7 (6-8), 2-2 Hijikata* & Peers
Andy M beats Hijikata with a forehand return winner, 15-15. Vintage shot by him there.
On his next return, Andy M looks laboured as he moves to his right and nets.
Hijikata & Peers hold to level the set.
08:21 PM BST
A Murray & J Murray* 6-7 (6-8), 2-1 Hijikata & Peers
Hijikata has been the best player on the court and he comes up with another forehand winner, 15-15. And again from the Aussie, this time off the backhand wing, 30-30.
Peers finds the gap between the Murrays with a forehand, break point. Hijikata goes for it but his return sails long, deuce.
Peers splits the pair again with a forehand winner, second break point. Jamie M volleys into the net off a low Hijikate return.
Australians strike back!
08:15 PM BST
A Murray & J Murray 6-7 (6-8), 2-0 Hijikata & Peers*
Hijikata nets a backhand volley on the stretch to give the Murrays a break point chance.
Big roar from Andy M after Peersâ volley goes long. The Murray support box are on their feet.
Game on?
08:10 PM BST
Second Set: A Murray* & J Murray 6-7 (6-8), 1-0 Hijikata & Peers (*denotes server)
Audible groan by Andy M after hitting a second serve for a double fault. That looked and sounded painful.
To compound matters Hijikata & Peers earn themselves two break points. Jamie M saves the first with a volley winner.
And they save the second when Peers pushes a volley long, deuce. Rally of the match featuring exceptional reactions by both teams but itâs Hijikata who steals the point with a volley winner. Third break point.
Good first serve by Murray is unreturned by Hijikata, deuce. Jamie M volley winner and the brothers hang on.
08:02 PM BST
A Murray & J Murray 6-7 (6-8) Hijikata & Peers
Hijikata beats the despairing stretch of Jamie M with a backhand pass down the line, 6-7. Hijikata forehand winner down the line to take the set, 6-8.
08:00 PM BST
A Murray & J Murray 6-6 Hijikata & Peers – TIEBREAK
Brilliant forehand return winner by Peers, 3-4. Andy M nets a backhand return, 3-5. Jamie M stretches and places a forehand return inside the tramlines, 4-5.
Jamie M overhead smash winner, 5-5. Peers backhand return goes wide, 6-5. Good reactions by Peers at the net, his volley is at Andy M and he canât respond quick enough to get the ball over the net, 6-6.
07:56 PM BST
A Murray & J Murray 6-6 Hijikata & Peers – TIEBREAK
Peers ace to start, 0-1. Jamie M overhead smash winner, 1-1. Jamie M volley winner, 2-1. Great reactions at the net.
Peers volley winner after Andy M doesnât do enough with his return, 2-2. Peers overhead winner, 2-3.
Andy M volley winner, 3-3.
07:53 PM BST
A Murray & J Murray* 6-6 Hijikata & Peers
Jamie holds his serve to love and itâs tiebreak time. It was always going to be that way.
07:50 PM BST
A Murray & J Murray 5-6 Hijikata* & Peers
Andy sees a gap for a backhand down the line but the ball drifts wide, 15-15. Hijikata backhand down the line is long, 30-30. Another half chance for the Murrays coming.
But Hijikataâs first serve does the business and holds serve.
07:46 PM BST
A Murray* & J Murray 5-5 Hijikata & Peers
Andy continues to look very secure and strong on his serve. The Australian pair are yet to test him and the Murray brothers hold.
07:43 PM BST
Doubles playersâ revolt forces ATP climbdown on plan to cut places
By Tom Morgan
Doubles players revolted against tennis chiefs with a legal threat after an attempt to cut back on their numbers at events following Wimbledon.
The plot to tighten qualification criteria has now been shelved amid furious warnings from at least 49 players who signed a fiercely-critical letter. The ATP was forced into a U-turn after players alleged amendments amounted to an âunlawful boycottâ and âexclusionâ.
Effectively, the proposed new rule would have reduced the number of places available to specialist doubles players at tournaments in Hamburg, Gstaad, Newport, Bastad and Kitzbuhel.
Click here for more.
07:42 PM BST
A Murray & J Murray 4-5 Hijikata & Peers*
Ridiculous backhand return by Andy goes high into the air and lands on the baseline, a rally ensues and Hijikata nets, 30-30. The crowd senses a chance for the Murray brothers but Peers sees out the danger to hold.
07:40 PM BST
A Murray & J Murray* 4-4 Hijikata & Peers
Jamie secures another routine service hold for the Murray brothers. This set looks destined for a tiebreak.
07:37 PM BST
A Murray & J Murray 3-4 Hijikata* & Peers
Good serving by Hijikata and the Australian duo hold to love. No fuss from those two so far.
07:34 PM BST
A Murray* & J Murray 3-3 Hijikata & Peers
Andyâs first serves are going in at around 110mph which is close to his normal level when fit. Good serving by him and the Murray brothers hold to love.
07:30 PM BST
A Murray & J Murray 2-3 Hijikata & Peers*
Double fault by Peers makes it 30-30 and gives the Murray brothers an opening. Return winner by Andy and he shakes his fist towards his box, deuce.
Hijikata volley winner to hold serve again.
07:27 PM BST
A Murray & J Murray* 2-2 Hijikata & Peers
Brilliant stretch volley winner by Jamie, 30-0. And he completes his service game with an ace. A lot will be riding on him tonight if the Murray brothers are to win.
07:24 PM BST
A Murray & J Murray 1-2 Hijikata* & Peers
Andy is forced to stretch for a forehand and appears to pull up. He holds his left side and is moving a little gingerly.
Ace from Hijikata to hold. But there was the first sign that Andy is far from fully fit.
07:21 PM BST
A Murray* & J Murray 1-1 Hijikata & Peers
First serve of the match by Andy and it is a good one. Down the T and unreturned. He thinks heâs hit an ace to make it 40-0 but he just misses the centre line.
Murray brothers move to 40-15 when Hijikaka nets a backhand return. Peers keeps his pair in the game with a return winner past Jamie.
Forehand winner by Andy and the Murray brothers hold. That should settle any nerves.
07:17 PM BST
First Set: A Murray & J Murray 0-1 Hijikata & Peers* (*denotes server)
Umpire called for the end of the warm-up but Andy took a little extra time to work on his serve.
First return by Murray is a good one but he then pushes a forehand long, 0-30. Volley from Peers goes long after quick reactions by Andy, 40-30.
Peers puts away an overhead smash to put his pair on the board.
07:09 PM BST
Here we go!
Standing ovation for Andy and Jamie Murray as they walk out first.
After the coin toss, they are made to swap sides and they get another round of applause.
All eyes on the warm-up to see how he is looking.
07:05 PM BST
Atmosphere is building
It has been nearly 30 minutes since the last match finished. Plenty of time for the spectators to go and come back and be in position for this.
The Royal Box is packed and Roger Federer is rumoured to be among those seated there. But heâs not there yet!
06:56 PM BST
This might be the first time Murrayâs kids have watched him at Wimbledon
06:45 PM BST
Hijikata keen to spoil Murray farewell
What a great opportunity to go out and play in front of a lot of people.
I am sure none of them will be supporting us, but thatâs fine! It would be great if we could be the ones to spoil the party, but itâs not going to be easy.
06:37 PM BST
Can Murray conjure up another magic moment on Centre?
06:27 PM BST
The last dance for Andy Murray
Good evening and welcome to what promises to be a very emotional night on Centre Court as Andy Murray competes in the menâs doubles with his brother Jamie.
Andy has confirmed this will be his last year competing at Wimbledon after withdrawing from the menâs singles on Tuesday. Out to spoil the party are Australian duo John Peers and Rinky Hijikata.
Peers reached the 2015 Wimbledon final with Jamie Murray and won the Australian Open menâs doubles in 2017 while Rinky Hijikata claimed the same title in 2023.
The last time a first round menâs doubles match was scheduled and played on Centre Court was in 1995 when Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde defeated Ken Flach and Robert Seguso.
For Jamie Murray, the chance to link up with his brother was something he could not miss out on.
âItâs something we wanted to do at some point,â said Jamie Murray, the former doubles world No 1 who has won seven Grand Slam titles. âHopefully itâs a fun experience for us both. And I guess appreciate what we have been able to do on the court for the last 15 years or so.
âIt is unique to do high level sport with your brother. For me, itâs a cool thing to be able to do with him, regardless of how it goes. I am hoping it is a nice experience â not that we go out like a damp squib.
âI think his determination probably more than anything overrides most things that people think of him. Like his refuse-to-lose attitude. That is what makes me most proud of him. In this country, he took a lot of people on a journey with him. People that he would have never met or know him, how much they followed his career over the years is quite remarkable.â
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