As tennis says farewell to Andy Murray after an exciting last occasion on the Olympics, The Athletic has spoken to nearly 30 gamers, coaches and different luminaries to grasp what the three-time Grand Slam champion, double Olympic champion and legend of British tennis means to the game.
From these closest to him, comparable to his brother, Jamie, and Nice Britain Davis Cup captain Leon Smith, to rivals together with Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, and WTA gamers Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka, who’ve admired his battle for gender equality, the 27 individuals beneath have damaged down the totally different components of Murray’s recreation and character, having seen him up shut all through his life and profession. Murray himself additionally explains what he’s most happy with from his 19-year profession on the ATP Tour.
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Fifty Shades of Andy Murray
The Corridor of Famer: ‘He was a monster – it was a “Massive 4” for certain’
In the beginning, Murray was a world-class participant. One among his rivals, Stan Wawrinka, stated not too long ago that it was a ‘Massive 4’ relatively than a ‘Massive Three’, with Murray meriting a spot in that group with Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, due to his unbelievable consistency. That’s why Wawrinka — a three-time Grand Slam winner, similar as Murray, however nothing like as environment friendly in reaching main finals or profitable different titles — places the Scotsman in a special class from himself.
Just about all the gamers who confronted Murray agree.
Rafael Nadal
One among Murray’s Massive 4 rivals throughout that period was Nadal, the 22-time Grand Slam champion. The pair performed one another 24 instances, with Nadal main the head-to-head 17-7, which included two wins for Murray on clay.
Nadal says: “We all know one another since we had been small youngsters. He’s one 12 months youthful. After we had been taking part in by groups — Spain, Nice Britain — he was on the group one 12 months youthful. We all know one another very effectively. We develop collectively on the tour, even when he arrived a bit of bit later than me.
“Andy had an incredible profession. I believe ultimately… I imply, I don’t prefer to say he deserves kind of as a result of, on the finish, if I say I deserve extra if I don’t have accidents, no? No, I don’t, as a result of I had the accidents, no? He had a whole lot of finals. He was an incredible participant who in all probability performed in a troublesome second as a result of he shared the tour on the prime time of Novak, Roger and myself.
Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal after the latter’s triumph in the course of the fourth spherical of the 2007 Australian Open (Richard A Brooks / Getty Pictures)
“He was the one which was on the similar degree as us generally phrases. When it comes to victories, he achieved much less however by way of degree of tennis, of getting, mentally, the profitable spirit week after week, he was the one one which was very near being on the similar degree as us.”
David Goffin
Goffin’s recreation matched up terribly to Murray’s and he misplaced all eight of their conferences. The Belgian, as soon as ranked No 7 on this planet, was additionally the autumn man for one in all Murray’s most well-known wins — the one which secured Nice Britain the Davis Cup in 2015. The ultimate level, which Murray gained with a trademark lob, was proof of his distinctive courtroom craft and shotmaking capacity.
Goffin can be in little doubt that Murray deserved his place within the Massive 4 group.
Goffin says: “He killed me on a regular basis. It’s superb what Andy did for the game. I performed him many instances, and I at all times felt that he was too good. It’s insane what he did, particularly with the opposite three large guys taking part in with him.
“He was a part of the Massive 4. He was world No 1. He gained Grand Slams. He gained so many Masters 1000s (14 in whole). He was only a monster, a legend.”
Stan Wawrinka
Wawrinka, a longtime pal and rival says: “It’s been greater than 20 years (that we’ve recognized one another). There are numerous recollections. It was particular to play right here towards him at residence (at Wimbledon in 2009). He’s been an incredible champion. He pushed all people. He’s been an instance for a lot of gamers.
“And he’s an important man. We’re good associates. We arrived a bit of bit on the similar instances. We spent so many instances collectively — on the courtroom, in apply courtroom, we practise tons of instances collectively. We at all times had relationship.”
John McEnroe
McEnroe by no means shared a courtroom with Murray, however the seven-time Grand Slam singles champion is unequivocal on the Scot’s standing throughout the recreation.
“He’s one of many biggest the game has ever seen,” McEnroe says. “He left no stone unturned to be one of the best he could possibly be. Till he acquired damage, it was the Massive 4, it wasn’t the Massive Three. He completed 2016 because the No 1 participant, forward of these guys — that’s fairly an achievement.
“He gained three Slams, reached 11 Grand Slam finals. First-ballot Corridor of Famer. Unbelievable profession, particularly contemplating the gamers he was up towards. Murray has the respect of everybody within the tennis world — in the end, that’s all you’ll be able to ask for.”
McEnroe has not too long ago known as for Wimbledon so as to add a statue of Murray (Clive Brunskill / Getty Pictures)
The competitor: ‘Even in doubles, he was getting fired up for each level’
Djokovic and Murray had been born inside per week of one another, and after dealing with one another many instances as juniors, shared 36 matches on the ATP Tour, together with seven Grand Slam finals (two of which Murray gained). Of his many attributes, Djokovic picks out his resilience and dedication.
Novak Djokovic
Djokovic says: “Simply unbelievable resilience all through all his profession. A number of Grand Slam winner. Legend of the sport. No 1 on this planet. Going to play challenger circuit to construct his rankings on clay, his least favorite floor, says quite a bit about his character.
“Simply big inspiration to all of the gamers. Doesn’t thoughts getting out on the courtroom for hours each day. Unbelievable skilled. His method is one thing to check, little doubt.
“His will to push and see how far he can go, even with a synthetic hip, is one thing that’s simply inspiring but in addition serves as an important instance I believe to a whole lot of the athletes, youthful ones, that begin to complain about this and that.
“So he has left an important mark on and off the courtroom, little doubt, for the tennis. However one thing tells me, once more, that he’ll maintain going.”
Murray and Djokovic performed doubles collectively as juniors (Clive Brunskill/Getty Pictures)
Sebastian Korda
Murray’s preventing spirit is known, and it enabled him to provide so many superb comebacks. We consider this primarily within the context of huge Grand Slam singles matches with tons at stake. However even on the doubles courtroom, in the direction of the tip of his profession, in his mid-30s and with a steel alternative left hip, he was nonetheless scrapping for each ball.
Earlier this 12 months, American world No 21 Korda requested Murray if he fancied taking part in doubles with him. They joined forces in Miami in March, beating Tallon Griekspoor and Julian Money within the first spherical earlier than an ankle damage dominated Murray out of the occasion.
Korda, 24, grew up watching Murray and couldn’t consider how invested his companion was in that match.
Korda says: “He’s an unbelievable particular person. He’s the most important competitor on the market. Even in our doubles match, he was getting fired up for each level. It was simply superior to see. And to see the legend that he’s, and the way in which he carries himself on courtroom. It’s only a huge inspiration.”
Grigor Dimitrov
The previous Wimbledon semi-finalist and present world No 10 Dimitrov, says it’s Murray’s mentality that has at all times stood out to him.
Dimitrov says: “We’ve at all times acquired on effectively and been shut. You possibly can be taught quite a bit from him — on totally different features, like the way in which his mentality has been and what he’s been capable of obtain. He at all times tries to come back again and battle by means of — that’s fairly superb.”
The tactician: ‘Aged 11, he stored drop-shotting this man as a result of he knew he couldn’t beat him for energy’
One among Murray’s greatest property was his tactical nous. He knew he didn’t possess a number of the overwhelming shotmaking the opposite Massive 4 gamers did. He found out the way to use his smarts and courtroom craft, which had always been a giant a part of his recreation rising up — Murray was on the shorter facet till he was about 15, and went by means of a sudden development spurt.
Leon Smith
Smith is aware of Murray in addition to nearly anybody. He would turn into his Davis Cup captain for 13 years, however he first noticed Murray as a four-year-old, taking part in quick tennis. His mom, Judy, who was in command of tennis in Scotland, would deliver him alongside to junior tournaments Smith was taking part in in.
A couple of years later, Judy requested Smith, in his twenties and beginning out as a coach, if he may act as a hitting companion for her son, who was then about 11. The pair acquired on effectively, and Smith took on a casual mentoring function and began taking the child to tournaments — together with the distinguished Orange Bowl occasion in Miami for prime kids in 1999.
Andy Murray, 12, en path to profitable the Below-14 Nationwide Junior Championships in Nottingham (Craig Prentis / Getty Pictures)
Murray gained the occasion within the 12-and-under class and Smith acquired a primary glimpse into how tactically clued-up he already was.
Smith says: “Whenever you put him on a match courtroom, the man simply lit up. He wouldn’t need to lose. That last of the Orange Bowl, I keep in mind him drop-shotting the man (Tomas Piskacek from the Czech Republic) so many instances. He stored drop-shot-and-lobbing him. This man was a lot greater than him — Andy wasn’t that large, he was extra common to small measurement. And he stored drop-shotting this man as a result of he knew he couldn’t beat him for energy, and I simply keep in mind so many drop-shot-and-lob combos.”
Beating extra highly effective gamers along with his guile and know-how later grew to become Murray’s calling card on the ATP Tour.
Cameron Norrie
British No 2 Norrie grew up watching Murray and, since turning professional and becoming a member of his compatriot on the British Davis Cup group, has soaked up as a lot info from him as doable.
He says: “I ask him a thousand questions. If I wanted assist with something, I used to be at all times asking and calling him, and he was at all times there to assist me, and I acquired on very well with him in Davis Cup.”
One among Norrie’s takeaways from all these conversations is that Murray will make a prime coach in the future — a view many others share.
Cameron Norrie has discovered Murray’s recommendation indispensable (Glyn Kirk / AFP through Getty Pictures)
Norrie says: “He’s man to spend time round, and his tennis data is unbelievable. He remembers all the main points. It’s nice to be round that degree of professionalism. Getting the possibility to play towards him is at all times robust and actually good.
“In case you ask him about any participant, he’ll provide the particulars on all the pieces: the place they prefer to hit their forehand and sometimes prefer to serve and the way they transfer, their little tendencies and what they do. He’s watching a whole lot of tennis, not simply practising. He is aware of how they play and he’ll be coach.”
The locker-room legend: ‘A very respectful man and a cool dude’
In addition to his distinctive achievements on the courtroom, Murray will depart a legacy as a vastly fashionable determine inside tennis off it. He was beloved within the dressing room for his wry sense of humour and help for different gamers.
Dominic Thiem
Thiem had fairly a bit in widespread with Murray. Each discovered their path to Grand Slam titles continuously blocked by the Massive Three (Thiem misplaced three Grand Slam finals to Massive Three gamers; Murray misplaced eight — 5 to Djokovic, three to Federer). Each had been in the end struck down by accidents.
Thiem hopes that, in the future, they’ll have a beer or two collectively and swap warfare tales.
He says: “I like him and I like him — as an athlete and an individual. He was one of many individuals texting me once I acquired injured, once I was on my approach again, and likewise now. After my farewell in Roland Garros (this 12 months), he despatched me a very nice message, which he didn’t have to do. He simply stated it was superb to see how I acquired my farewell and the way emotional it was. This gave me a whole lot of pleasure as a result of he’s had his points as effectively — though approach worse.
Murray in motion throughout a defeat to Thiem in Barcelona in 2019 (Alex Caparros / Getty Pictures)
“That’s the opposite factor about him — to do what he has achieved with a steel hip is just superb. He deserved far more. The Massive Three had been in the way in which for him. However then, the way in which he was preventing again with the steel hip and nonetheless taking part in, it’s admirable. He’s a giant function mannequin for each participant.
“We solely spoke once in a while for a couple of minutes within the locker room, which is sweet after all however just isn’t sufficient. It might be actually fascinating, with him and the opposite guys, to have a extremely deep dialog, and perhaps in the future I’m going to come back to Wimbledon and meet with him and discuss these things.
“Yeah (over a beer or two), loosen up.”
Carlos Alcaraz
Reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion Alcaraz is a participant Murray loves watching. He has been vocal in supporting the younger Spaniard, proper from the beginning of his profession.
Alcaraz has big respect for Murray, who had one other message for him when the pair hit collectively on the pre-Wimbledon event at Queen’s in London final week.
Alcaraz says: “Each time I discuss to him, I used to be actually centered. Each phrase I’m listening to from him, it’s superb. I hear a whole lot of good issues. He spoke to me on Twitter, on Instagram. He watched a whole lot of my matches. For me, this stuff are superb.
“After I practised with him (at Queen’s), he congratulated me in regards to the French Open, that it was superb stuff. Listening to these phrases from him, it was superb. He’s a legend. I’ve big respect for him, all the pieces he’s achieved in sport. He has crushed the Massive Three many, many instances of their prime degree. It’s one thing superb.
“His legacy in tennis and in sport goes to be perpetually.”
Tomas Machac
One among Murray’s last matches was towards Machac, in Miami in March this 12 months. Murray performed on after rupturing ankle ligaments however wished his opponent effectively on the finish of a three-set defeat.
Machac, 23, says: “It was a troublesome match, however after we shook fingers he was tremendous, like a legend. Throughout the match, he tried all the pieces to beat me however then on the finish, he was very good — he stated, ‘Properly performed, good luck for the event’.
“He’s a legend of the game and a particular particular person and participant, so he’ll be missed quite a bit.”
Gael Monfils
On the different finish of his profession from Alcaraz and Machac is 37-year-old Monfils, Murray’s one-time rival at junior degree. The pair have been taking part in one another for greater than 25 years and in 2004, gained all the junior Grand Slams between them (Monfils the primary three, Murray the U.S. Open).
Monfils and Murray battling on the 2006 French Open. (Eric Feferberg / AFP through Getty Pictures)
Monfils says: “It’s loopy as a result of I performed Andy the primary time once I was 11 and he was 10. All people’s totally different — we’ve got a special objective et cetera. I’m a giant fan of Andy. His achievements, his profession, the man he’s. He’s a extremely respectful man and a cool dude. A legend of the game.
“I attempt to be taught from him. What he’s achieved is loopy good.”
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The British flagbearer (and p**s-taker): ‘Inspirational however understated’
Murray’s compatriots will maybe miss him probably the most. He has been an enormous supply of help to them. “He’s given a whole lot of time to individuals — youthful guys, practising with them after they weren’t established, providing them recommendation in the event that they requested for it,” says Smith, who has seen up shut in his function as Davis Cup captain how influential Murray has been.
“A day after what occurred right here (the damage at Queen’s towards Jordan Thompson this June), he’s down at pre-qualies, bloody Southfields at Wimbledon, watching a 17-year-old Charlie Robertson. Up rocks Andy Murray courtside. He’s simply pulled out with an damage and who is aware of what that damage is, but he’s out supporting a 17-year-old Scot. It’s not regular. It’s nice values, nice human expertise.
“In 2016, just a few days after profitable Wimbledon, he got here to Serbia (to be with the British Davis Cup group, regardless that he wasn’t match to play). That’s unbelievable. He stated, ‘Wouldn’t it be OK if I come over?’. ‘Err, yeah!’. I keep in mind he’s acquired a ball-hopper and he’s doing the feeding to the blokes. That already offers them such a carry. He’s right here doing that. Superb stuff.”
In the meantime, in McEnroe’s eyes, “Andy Murray modified the notion of being a British tennis participant. He had that starvation and can to win that individuals hadn’t seen for a very long time.”
Murray’s at all times dry however surprisingly jovial humour has gained over tennis followers. (John Walton / PA Pictures through Getty Pictures)
However as a lot as Murray has been a motivator and inspiration, the opposite British gamers additionally respect his depraved sense of humour and love of taking the p**s out of them.
Jack Draper
Draper, the brand new British No 1 who will carry a lot of the nation’s expectations with Murray gone, stated at Wimbledon of his one-time idol: “I wouldn’t be right here with out Andy. He’s an unbelievable man off the courtroom, so humorous, so real, one in all a sort. What a competitor, what a champion. Thanks very a lot.”
He says: “It’s bizarre as a result of he was such an inspiration once I was youthful and across the Nationwide Tennis Centre.
“Watching him win Wimbledon, I used to be starstruck. As I’ve come on to the tour and he’s had his accidents and been round, it’s been nice to get to know him as an individual. He’s extremely real, an actual laborious employee, and we’ve acquired to practise quite a bit and it’s been nice to be taught from him. Everybody’s on a special journey however his foremost message is: ‘Be taught from the matches, be taught from the experiences — maintain going, maintain doing the fitting issues such as you’re doing and also you’ll get to the place you need to be’.
“He’s very supportive. Not a lot in a match-by-match approach, however he’ll give me a little bit of banter in messages. Or saying, ‘Congratulations, effectively performed as we speak’. If I put one thing on Instagram that he’s not a fan of, he’ll let me know. He at all times goes on about my ‘stance’. The opposite day, I put up a photograph and did the stance simply to p**s him off. I hope, even after his profession, that he nonetheless has a big effect on tennis and sticks round.”
Neal Skupski
A 3-time Wimbledon champion (one in males’s doubles, two in combined), Skupski has acquired to know Murray from taking part in Davis Cup ties collectively over the previous few years. For Skupski, it’s Murray’s prowess in fantasy soccer that has left an enduring impression.
Skupski says: “We’re in WhatsApp teams collectively — fantasy soccer, all that stuff. He’s nice, an important character. One of many humorous ones on tour.
“You don’t need to be an lively participant to be a part of the fantasy soccer group — his coach, Jonny O’Mara, is within the group as effectively. Jonny got here final this 12 months, so he’s having to do a forfeit, which is taking a visit to any nation in Europe for the day. Out and in. On his personal.
“Andy gained the entire thing, like he does yearly — which he put out on social media — so he will get to decide on the place Jonny goes. Fairly humorous that Jonny’s teaching Andy and Andy will get to decide on the place he goes. He hasn’t determined the place he’s going but.
“He loves that he has the maintain over the remainder of us (the opposite 9 individuals within the group). He’s fixed, he’s continuous. On the ultimate day of the season, he modified his complete group to individuals who don’t play — reserve gamers, under-23s — as a result of he was to this point forward. That’s simply one thing Andy would do.
“There’s discuss of him sending Jonny to Bulgaria (a three-hour flight from London) for the day.”
Aidan McHugh
Murray’s legendary p**s-taking capacity was as soon as defined to me by Scottish 24-year-old McHugh, who Murray mentored earlier than bringing him into his company, 77 Sports activities Administration Group: “The p**s-taking is completely something he can get his fingers on. He tends to carry onto issues. He’ll deliver up one thing you probably did two years in the past. He’s very on it. It’s nearly worrying.”
McHugh instructed a narrative from his run to the junior Australian Open semifinals in 2018 that demonstrated this. “After shedding, I used to be gutted — like, genuinely not pleased with a extremely robust loss, and all I did was smash a plastic water bottle. I didn’t harm something. I wasn’t even within the locker room, I used to be upstairs within the gymnasium, however my coach heard it and it acquired again to Andy.
Murray and McHugh in good spirits at Wimbledon in 2017 (Invoice Murray / SNS Group through Getty Pictures)
“After I got here again to the UK, Andy and I had been chatting and he utterly made up that, due to me, 77 had acquired a giant invoice by means of for damages to the gamers’ locker room! I felt horrible however was like, ‘I don’t know what you’re speaking about’.
“I used to be anticipating at that time that he would break and snigger it off, however he simply stored going and didn’t say, ‘OK, I’ll allow them to comprehend it wasn’t you’. He’s nonetheless not spoken to me about it and gone, ‘It was a joke’. He simply leaves issues like that to attempt to mess with you.”
Joe Salisbury
Salisbury is one other British doubles specialist (4 Grand Slam titles in males’s, two in combined) who has teamed up with Murray within the Davis Cup, and seen his distinctive model of comedy up shut.
Salisbury says: “He has a really dry sense of humour, very sarcastic. Very humorous. In case you didn’t know him, you wouldn’t get it. He says issues utterly deadpan and also you’re not likely certain if he’s joking.
“I’ve at all times acquired on very well with Andy. He’s an important man, straightforward to get on with. I don’t know any of the opposite prime singles guys effectively, however really feel like he’s probably the most down-to-earth and open (of them). It doesn’t matter who you might be, he’s at all times glad to talk, at all times very supportive.
“And I at all times loved taking part in with him — an important competitor who works actually laborious. Each time I’ve performed doubles with him, he’s at all times been centered and wished to enhance on his doubles.”
Leon Smith once more
In addition to having fun with amusing along with his team-mates, Murray may also give speeches that encourage them. On the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, he was chosen as Crew GB’s flagbearer, a vastly prestigious honour that recognised his gold (males’s singles) and silver (combined doubles) medals on the earlier Video games in London 4 years earlier. As a part of his function, Murray addressed all the opposite British Olympians current in Rio.
Smith says: “He gave an incredible speech. We had this house block, after which a giant garden in entrance, the place the British group had been staying. And he’s standing up on a raised financial institution bit, talking to all of the British Olympians, giving this speech and it’s like tugging in your heartstrings. Inspirational stuff about what it means to be a British Olympian, how everybody at house is rooting for you. ‘You’ve achieved your work, be proud that you just’re right here and know that you just’ve achieved all the pieces you’ll be able to, so simply exit and provides your greatest effort’.
“Easy however highly effective messaging. And since it’s coming from him, individuals had been like, ‘Wow’. It was actually inspirational however understated. He’s not somebody who will get overly excited or goes overboard, however he delivered it in such a real approach.”
Emma Raducanu
Murray has set requirements for British girls in tennis to aspire to as effectively.
Raducanu, the one different British winner of a singles Grand Slam title since 1977 and his chosen combined doubles companion at Wimbledon till her withdrawal, says: “I simply see him function each day. How skilled he’s, how he’s within the gymnasium an hour and a half earlier than apply. How he goes about his factor. It’s simply good to have that affect. He units requirements and all of us like to have him round.
“It’s good to see him hitting with the opposite boys and the opposite gamers. All of them get impressed after they play with him.”
Dan Evans
Evans was the person taking part in alongside Murray within the thrilling last Olympics run, however their closeness goes approach past that. Murray has been a giant help to his Davis Cup team-mate all through Evans’ profession, together with staying out late on a freezing Court docket 8 to observe one in all his qualifying matches on the 2016 Australian Open. “It’s unbelievable to come back out, it’s freezing, the possibility of getting ailing — it’s effort,” Evans stated.
Reflecting on all their a few years understanding one another, Evans says: “He’s at all times been behind each British participant, he’s by no means not taken day out to ship a textual content. When he was injured and I gained my first-ever match at Roland Garros (in 2019), he messaged me saying, ‘Properly achieved, that’s perseverance’. He knew precisely what number of matches I hadn’t gained there and I used to be considering, ‘You will have your personal stuff occurring, in order that was fairly cool’.
“He’s been beneficiant, useful, all the pieces to British tennis. Not simply me. He’s given everybody good recommendation. He gained the Davis Cup just about on his personal — which gave me an accolade, I suppose.
“Davis Cup, behind the scenes, simply typically a category act.”
The idol: ‘I made a listing of who I wished an image with. In fact, Andy was first on the checklist’
Murray’s longevity means gamers grew up admiring him after which grew to become a part of the tour with him. Because the Russian girls’s world No 12 Daria Kasatkina, places it: “It’s been unbelievable to observe him on TV after which be with him at tournaments. I really feel fortunate to have skilled that.”
Mirra Andreeva
One among Murray’s greatest followers is the Russian 17-year-old Andreeva, who reached the French Open semifinals in Could.
When Murray tweeted his appreciation of Andreeva throughout one in all her matches on the Australian Open in January, she expressed how overwhelmed she was. “Truthfully, I didn’t suppose that he would watch a match, then after he would tweet, he would remark one thing,” she stated. “I’ll attempt to print it out by some means. I don’t know, I’ll put it in a body. I’ll deliver it in every single place with me. I’ll perhaps put it on the wall, so I can see it each day.”
Andreeva down 5-1 in third. Commentator “she actually must work on psychological facet of her recreation.. she’s too laborious on herself when she’s shedding”
half-hour later 7-6 Andreeva wins.
Possibly the explanation she turned the match spherical is due to her psychological energy. Possibly she turned the…— Andy Murray (@andy_murray) January 19, 2024
On the French Open, she plucked up the braveness to ask Murray for an image collectively.
Andreeva says: “It was a pleasant second as a result of I had a present — a retro digital camera. I used to be like, ‘Properly, I’ve to do a whole lot of photographs’. I had 25 or 30 photos that I may do. So I made a listing of who I need to take an image (with). In fact, Andy was first on the checklist as a result of, I imply, we had just a few interactions, however I don’t actually have a picture with him. I believed, ‘Properly, we have to repair that’.
“I noticed him just a few instances earlier than, however he was warming up or consuming. So I used to be like, ‘Properly, subsequent time, subsequent time’. Then, I noticed him speaking to his group. I used to be like, ‘Properly, he’s busy. No, no, no’. My coach was like, ‘No, you go, you do it, and after we overlook about it’.
“She pushed me to him and, lastly, I had an image with him.”
What was higher, reaching the French Open semifinal or getting the image with Murray?
“Each are good. Each are good.”
Jordan Thompson
Thompson was Murray’s last tour singles opponent, beating him at Queen’s simply earlier than Wimbledon.
The 30-year-old Australian brutally uncovered his opponent’s impaired motion by ceaselessly taking part in drop pictures — a ploy he stated he discovered from watching Murray as a teen. Afterwards, he spoke about how a lot of an inspiration Murray was again then — particularly how laborious he pushed himself.
Thompson says: “His work ethic was unbelievable once I was rising up. I simply thought he labored so laborious to get the place he’s, and to be as bodily match as him simply on laborious work, it was an actual inspiration.
Murray walks out of Queen’s behind Thompson after retiring from their match final week. (Clive Brunskill / Getty Pictures)
“I’m certain he’ll be missed. After I was a child I watched him play U.S. Open finals, Wimbledon finals, that many Australian Open finals (5). It was in my residence nation. I used to be going for him each time. He’s one in all my favorite gamers.
“I acquired to share the courtroom just a few instances with him. That was particular. I don’t suppose many youngsters on this planet could be watching these guys on TV and you then go on the market and really play them and share the courtroom with them. Yeah, it’s each child’s dream.
“To fulfil these desires with one in all my favorite gamers, it was an actual honour.”
The fighter for equality: ‘I do know all feminine athletes actually respect it’
One thing that has set Murray aside has been his willingness to talk on points which might be essential to him. A type of is gender equality, and he has ceaselessly known as individuals out for perceived sexism. He fiercely defended Amelie Mauresmo from misogynistic feedback when he took the weird step of appointing her as his coach in 2014.
“He’ll be remembered as an important champion and an incredible function mannequin; somebody who stood up and was vocal about international points, as a result of not many do this,” Smith says. “He’s ready to discuss essential issues and other people take heed to him. You get the sense when the gamers discuss him, not one particular person isn’t unbelievably complimentary. Folks genuinely respect what he’s achieved for the game and for them. He needs to be remembered for a lot of, many issues. An important human being, an important champion, an important ambassador for tennis and wider world points.”
Murray’s function as an advocate for ladies’s tennis has earned him an enormous quantity of appreciation and admiration from WTA gamers.
Coco Gauff
America’s world No 2 and reigning U.S. Open champion was notably impressed by Murray calling out a journalist for saying in 2017 that no American participant had reached the semifinals of a Grand Slam since 2009. “Male participant,” was his response.
Gauff says: “My favorite video of him is on the press convention in Wimbledon the place he says, the primary ‘male participant.’ Truthfully, it occurs quite a bit in tennis the place individuals say a stat, particularly with the blokes and I’ll be like, ‘Properly, I did it (smiling)’. It’s good after they specify.
“What he’s achieved with the ladies’s recreation… him and his mom as effectively have achieved quite a bit. I might say he’s one of many first male gamers to talk up about it (gender inequality).
“On courtroom, I don’t get how one can’t look as much as him, along with his state of affairs battling with accidents. He’s purely out right here for the enjoyment and love of the sport.
“The man performed unbelievable tennis in such a troublesome period — even after, with a steel hip, and he’s nonetheless giving it 100 per cent, which is uncommon to see, particularly while you’re later in your profession. He offers it his all, regardless of who’s watching — within the again courts or the centre courtroom.
“He doesn’t care about courts or the place he’s taking part in. He simply needs to play. Loads of gamers can be taught from that.”
Different gamers share Gauff’s view about how a lot Murray has achieved for ladies’s tennis.
Naomi Osaka
The four-time Grand Slam champion says: “He’s been very vocal (about gender equality). All tennis gamers and all feminine athletes actually respect it.
“Murray’s such an important man, such a troublesome competitor. He loves tennis a lot and retains coming again. He’s had all these accidents. He’s relentless, his capacity to maintain taking part in matches at a excessive degree.
“After I take into consideration him and the legacy that he leaves on tennis, clearly he’s achieved quite a bit for British tennis however as a child, watching him on TV taking part in these superb battles, he’s affected each tennis child worldwide.”
Andy Murray approaching Roger Federer after his Wimbledon last defeat in 2012. (Julian Finney / Getty Pictures)
Madison Keys
Keys, America’s girls’s world No 14, says: “It’s been superb (what he’s achieved for ladies’s tennis). He’s had an unbelievable profession but in addition to have the most effective male tennis gamers ever be such an advocate for ladies’s tennis and girls’s sport is superb.”
Daria Kasatkina
Kasatkina says: “It’s crucial (Murray advocating for ladies’s tennis). He’s one of many few gamers who has achieved that. He was the primary man to have a feminine coach, that was an enormous step. Andy is such a gentleman, an incredible particular person. It’s additionally very enjoyable to observe him on courtroom — his interactions along with his field.
“Andy’s particular, he’s a legend. He has achieved a lot on tour, and out of doors the courtroom generally for ladies’s tennis. He’s an unbelievable man.
“We’re going to overlook him quite a bit. His British sense of humour was superb. Additionally, the man is such a personality on courtroom and he was the most effective gamers on this planet. So I actually get pleasure from him taking part in and attempting to be taught one thing from his recreation.”
Murray and Mauresmo at Queen’s in 2014. (Jan Kreuger / Getty Pictures)
Caroline Garcia
Garcia, the ladies’s world No 25 who reached a career-high rating of No 4 practically six years in the past, was famously tipped for the highest spot by Murray. That was in 2011, when Garcia was 17 and solely simply ranked on this planet’s prime 200.
The lady sharapova is taking part in goes to be primary on this planet in the future caroline garcia, what a participant u heard it right here first
— Andy Murray (@andy_murray) Could 26, 2011
Requested whether or not that well-known Murray tweet was useful, Garcia says: “Why not? It’s what it’s. I haven’t reached that degree but, in all probability by no means, however it’s nice to get that type of remark from somebody who is aware of tennis. I respect no matter he says.
“He introduced quite a bit to tennis. As a participant on courtroom along with his work ethic, his preventing spirit, his willingness to undergo quite a bit to win Slams, and all of the expectations — particularly at Wimbledon. And the burden on his shoulders.
“But in addition an important particular person and human and supporting tennis generally — girls’s tennis, and tweeting about it — which at all times made a whole lot of buzz and was crucial. An important champion, he introduced a lot to tennis — we owe him large time. I hope he enjoys the second a part of his life and appears like he’s retired on his phrases.”
The legacy: ‘It’ll be bizarre not having him right here’
Talking to these within the locker room, there’s a way there’ll be an enormous gap with out Murray round — particularly for individuals who have been on tour for the same size to his 19 years.
Jamie Murray
That gap gained’t be greater for anybody than his brother, who has been travelling round with Andy taking part in junior occasions since they had been young children. They’ve additionally shared memorable moments on the doubles courtroom, most notably in Britain’s 2015 Davis Cup win.
The Murray brothers in 2005, at first of their tour careers. (Julian Finney / Getty Pictures)
Jamie says: “It’ll be bizarre not having him right here. It’s a reasonably uncommon state of affairs to have your brother doing the identical job as you — particularly in a high-level sport, travelling the world collectively. That may be a good factor, even when we don’t spend a great deal of time collectively on the courts. You realize that, within the background, you’ve at all times acquired somebody from your loved ones — even when you’re not accessing them on a regular basis.
“It’ll be unusual to not have him on the tour. We’ve been doing the identical factor for 20 years, so he’ll be a giant miss.”
As for the person himself, Andy Murray says that the factor he’ll be most happy with in his profession is displaying the identical degree of dedication day in, day trip. “I believe the factor that I did a extremely good job of throughout my profession was that, whatever the highs and lows, whether or not it was profitable tournaments, having troublesome losses, an operation, a setback, that I used to be capable of deal with the subsequent day the identical. I at all times got here into work with the identical dedication, work ethic, and keenness, as I had the day earlier than, whatever the highs and lows that the game had thrown at me.
“I actually didn’t at all times get it proper. Like on the match days, I used to be not good by any stretch, however I did at all times come into work and put in day. I gave my greatest effort.
“Yeah, that’s what I’m happy with. So I suppose, I don’t know, it’s for different individuals to determine what my legacy could be. However that’s the factor I’m most happy with.”
No matter his legacy finally ends up being, tennis gained’t be the identical with out him.
(Prime photographs: Daniel Kopatsch / Getty Pictures; Design: Dan Goldfarb for The Athletic)
