Andy Murray said goodbye to Wimbledon with an emotional performance. © APA/afp / BEN STANSALL

Moved to tears: Murray says goodbye to Wimbledon

In the most emotional moment of this Wimbledon edition so far, Andy Murray was moved to tears. And amazed. One of the most influential players in recent tennis history stood on what is probably the most important stage in his sport to say goodbye to Wimbledon. And told anecdotes.

July 05, 2024

From: dpa

Murray said 2016 was the most special of his three Grand Slam titles. He really enjoyed his second triumph at Wimbledon. But: "I don't remember much about that night," he joked. "I had a few drinks and unfortunately threw up in the taxi on the way home."

Murray may be known on the most important tennis venues for his dogged nature, for fighting and never being written off. This is how he always managed to come back from all his injuries. But the 37-year-old Scotsman also has other sides. In a moving ceremony, a film with the highs and lows of his career and dedications from Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal was shown on the video screen. Current and former tennis greats such as Djokovic, Martina Navratilova and John McEnroe came onto the court after Murray lost the doubles match with brother Jamie Murray.

Andy Murray and his brother Jamie (right) at the farewell press conference. © APA/afp / JOE TOTH

Murray also remembered how he met his wife when he was 18. They went out to dinner in New York, he took her to her hotel and then asked for her email address. He said mischievously that he didn't think his behavior was normal.

Celebrated like a current Wimbledon champion

The 37-year-old, whose wife, two of his four children and his mother, who taught him tennis, were in the stands, will probably remember the ceremony forever as a special chapter in his career. Like a tournament winner, the former world number one later appeared on the balcony and was celebrated by the fans. He is leaving the sport in peace: "I am ready to stop because I can no longer play at the level I want."

Wimbledon is the site of his greatest triumphs. It was here in 2013 that he ended the British people's wait for a home winner after 77 years and won the hearts of the British. The best British tennis player of the post-war era will now leave as one of the few who was able to steal titles from the outstanding trio of Federer, Nadal and Djokovic in the golden era.

Andy Murray with the Wimbledon trophy. © APA/afp / LEON NEAL

"The three of them were OK," said Murray with his dry humor about Federer, Djokovic and Nadal. "It wasn't exactly the easiest thing to get past them."

With his game focused primarily on defense and counterattacks with a lot of running, Murray won Wimbledon twice (2013 and 2016), two Olympic gold medals (2012 and 2016) and a title at the US Open (2012).