As tennis says farewell to Andy Murray after an exciting ultimate 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, akin 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 struggle for gender equality, the 27 folks under have damaged down the completely different components of Murray’s sport 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.
GO DEEPER
Fifty Shades of Andy Murray
The Corridor of Famer: ‘He was a monster – it was a “Massive 4” for certain’
Initially, Murray was a world-class participant. Certainly one of 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 unimaginable consistency. That’s why Wawrinka — a three-time Grand Slam winner, identical as Murray, however nothing like as environment friendly in reaching main finals or profitable different titles — places the Scotsman in a unique class from himself.
Just about the entire gamers who confronted Murray agree.
Rafael Nadal
Certainly one of Murray’s Massive 4 rivals throughout that period was Nadal, the 22-time Grand Slam champion. The pair performed one another 24 occasions, 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 staff one 12 months youthful. We all know one another very nicely. We develop collectively on the tour, even when he arrived somewhat bit later than me.
“Andy had an incredible profession. I believe ultimately… I imply, I don’t wish 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 quite a lot of finals. He was an incredible participant who most likely 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 throughout the fourth spherical of the 2007 Australian Open (Richard A Brooks / Getty Photos)
“He was the one which was on the identical degree as us generally phrases. When it comes to victories, he achieved much less however when it comes to degree of tennis, of getting, mentally, the profitable spirit week after week, he was the one one which was very near being on the identical degree as us.”
David Goffin
Goffin’s sport matched up terribly to Murray’s and he misplaced all eight of their conferences. The Belgian, as soon as ranked No 7 on the planet, was additionally the autumn man for one in every of 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 skill.
Goffin can also 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 occasions, and I all the time felt that he was too good. It’s insane what he did, particularly with the opposite three huge 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 identified one another). There are various recollections. It was particular to play right here in opposition to him at dwelling (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 a terrific man. We’re good mates. We arrived somewhat bit on the identical occasions. We spent so many occasions collectively — on the courtroom, in follow courtroom, we practise tons of occasions collectively. We all the time had a very good 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 sport.
“He’s one of many best the game has ever seen,” McEnroe says. “He left no stone unturned to be the most effective he might 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 in opposition to. 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 referred to as for Wimbledon so as to add a statue of Murray (Clive Brunskill / Getty Photos)
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 going through one another many occasions 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 unimaginable resilience all through all his profession. A number of Grand Slam winner. Legend of the sport. No 1 on the planet. Going to play challenger circuit to construct his rankings on clay, his least favorite floor, says lots about his character.
“Simply enormous inspiration to all of the gamers. Doesn’t thoughts getting out on the courtroom for hours day-after-day. Unbelievable skilled. His method is one thing to review, little doubt.
“His will to push and see how far he can go, even with a man-made hip, is one thing that’s simply inspiring but additionally serves as a terrific instance I believe to quite a lot of the athletes, youthful ones, that begin to complain about this and that.
“So he has left a terrific mark on and off the courtroom, little doubt, for the tennis. However one thing tells me, once more, that he’ll preserve going.”
Murray and Djokovic performed doubles collectively as juniors (Clive Brunskill/Getty Photos)
Sebastian Korda
Murray’s preventing spirit is known, and it enabled him to supply so many superb comebacks. We consider this primarily within the context of massive Grand Slam singles matches with tons at stake. However even on the doubles courtroom, in the direction of the top 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 imagine how invested his accomplice was in that match.
Korda says: “He’s an unbelievable individual. He’s the largest 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 best way 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 all the time stood out to him.
Dimitrov says: “We’ve all the time acquired on nicely and been shut. You possibly can study lots from him — on completely different features, like the best way his mentality has been and what he’s been capable of obtain. He all the time tries to return again and struggle by way 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’
Certainly one of Murray’s largest property was his tactical nous. He knew he didn’t possess a few of the overwhelming shotmaking the opposite Massive 4 gamers did. He discovered how you can use his smarts and courtroom craft, which had always been an enormous a part of his sport rising up — Murray was on the shorter facet till he was about 15, and went by way of a sudden development spurt.
Leon Smith
Smith is aware of Murray in addition to nearly anybody. He would change 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 accountable for tennis in Scotland, would deliver him alongside to junior tournaments Smith was taking part in in.
Just a few years later, Judy requested Smith, in his twenties and beginning out as a coach, if he might act as a hitting accomplice for her son, who was then about 11. The pair acquired on nicely, and Smith took on an off-the-cuff mentoring position and began taking the child to tournaments — together with the celebrated Orange Bowl occasion in Miami for high kids in 1999.
Andy Murray, 12, en path to profitable the Below-14 Nationwide Junior Championships in Nottingham (Craig Prentis / Getty Photos)
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 ultimate of the Orange Bowl, I keep in mind him drop-shotting the man (Tomas Piskacek from the Czech Republic) so many occasions. He stored drop-shot-and-lobbing him. This man was a lot greater than him — Andy wasn’t that huge, 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 turned 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 staff, 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 all the time asking and calling him, and he was all the time there to assist me, and I acquired on rather well with him in Davis Cup.”
Certainly one of Norrie’s takeaways from all these conversations is that Murray will make a high coach in the future — a view many others share.
Cameron Norrie has discovered Murray’s recommendation indispensable (Glyn Kirk / AFP through Getty Photos)
Norrie says: “He’s a very good 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 prospect to play in opposition to him is all the time robust and actually good.
“In case you ask him about any participant, he’ll provide the particulars on all the things: the place they wish to hit their forehand and sometimes wish to serve and the way they transfer, their little tendencies and what they do. He’s watching quite a lot of tennis, not simply practising. He is aware of how they play and he’ll be a very good coach.”
The locker-room legend: ‘A extremely respectful man and a cool dude’
In addition to his distinctive achievements on the courtroom, Murray will go away a legacy as a vastly well-liked determine inside tennis off it. He was beloved within the dressing room for his wry sense of humour and assist for different gamers.
Dominic Thiem
Thiem had fairly a bit in frequent with Murray. Each discovered their path to Grand Slam titles always 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 battle tales.
He says: “I love him and I like him — as an athlete and an individual. He was one of many folks texting me after I acquired injured, after I was on my manner again, and in addition now. After my farewell in Roland Garros (this 12 months), he despatched me a very nice message, which he didn’t must do. He simply stated it was superb to see how I acquired my farewell and the way emotional it was. This gave me quite a lot of pleasure as a result of he’s had his points as nicely — though manner worse.
Murray in motion throughout a defeat to Thiem in Barcelona in 2019 (Alex Caparros / Getty Photos)
“That’s the opposite factor about him — to do what he has completed with a steel hip is solely superb. He deserved far more. The Massive Three had been in the best way for him. However then, the best way he was preventing again with the steel hip and nonetheless taking part in, it’s admirable. He’s an enormous position mannequin for each participant.
“We solely spoke once in a while for a couple of minutes within the locker room, which is good after all however just isn’t sufficient. It will be actually fascinating, with him and the opposite guys, to have a very deep dialog, and perhaps in the future I’m going to return 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 enormous 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 speak to him, I used to be actually centered. Each phrase I’m listening to from him, it’s superb. I hear quite a lot of good issues. He spoke to me on Twitter, on Instagram. He watched quite a lot of my matches. For me, this stuff are superb.
“After I practised with him (at Queen’s), he congratulated me concerning the French Open, that it was superb stuff. Listening to these phrases from him, it was superb. He’s a legend. I’ve enormous respect for him, all the things he’s completed in sport. He has crushed the Massive Three many, many occasions of their prime degree. It’s one thing superb.
“His legacy in tennis and in sport goes to be ceaselessly.”
Tomas Machac
Certainly one of Murray’s ultimate matches was in opposition to Machac, in Miami in March this 12 months. Murray performed on after rupturing ankle ligaments however wished his opponent nicely on the finish of a three-set defeat.
Machac, 23, says: “It was a tricky match, however after we shook fingers he was tremendous, like a legend. Through the match, he tried all the things 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 individual and participant, so he’ll be missed lots.”
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 the entire 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 Photos)
Monfils says: “It’s loopy as a result of I performed Andy the primary time after I was 11 and he was 10. All people’s completely different — we’ve got a unique objective et cetera. I’m an enormous fan of Andy. His achievements, his profession, the man he’s. He’s a very respectful man and a cool dude. A legend of the game.
“I attempt to study from him. What he’s completed is loopy good.”
GO DEEPER
‘You understand my identify. It’s unimaginable. I made it’: Gael Monfils has no regrets
The British flagbearer (and p**s-taker): ‘Inspirational however understated’
Murray’s compatriots will maybe miss him essentially the most. He has been an enormous supply of assist to them. “He’s given quite a lot of time to folks — youthful guys, practising with them once they weren’t established, providing them recommendation in the event that they requested for it,” says Smith, who has seen up shut in his position as Davis Cup captain how influential Murray has been.
“A day after what occurred right here (the damage at Queen’s in opposition to 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, a number of days after profitable Wimbledon, he got here to Serbia (to be with the British Davis Cup staff, although he wasn’t match to play). That’s unbelievable. He stated, ‘Would it not 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 fellows. That already offers them such a carry. He’s right here doing that. Wonderful 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 all the time dry however surprisingly jovial humour has gained over tennis followers. (John Walton / PA Photos through Getty Photos)
However as a lot as Murray has been a motivator and inspiration, the opposite British gamers additionally admire 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 unimaginable man off the courtroom, so humorous, so real, one in every of a form. What a competitor, what a champion. Thanks very a lot.”
He says: “It’s bizarre as a result of he was such an inspiration after 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 lots and it’s been nice to study from him. Everybody’s on a unique journey however his major message is: ‘Study from the matches, study from the experiences — preserve going, preserve 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 manner, however he’ll give me a little bit of banter in messages. Or saying, ‘Congratulations, nicely performed in the present day’. If I put one thing on Instagram that he’s not a fan of, he’ll let me know. He all the time 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 huge impact on tennis and sticks round.”
Neal Skupski
A 3-time Wimbledon champion (one in males’s doubles, two in blended), 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, a terrific character. One of many humorous ones on tour.
“You don’t must be an lively participant to be a part of the fantasy soccer group — his coach, Jonny O’Mara, is within the group as nicely. 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 folks within the group). He’s fixed, he’s continuous. On the ultimate day of the season, he modified his complete staff 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 speak of him sending Jonny to Bulgaria (a three-hour flight from London) for the day.”
Aidan McHugh
Murray’s legendary p**s-taking skill 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 dropping, I used to be gutted — like, genuinely not proud of a very robust loss, and all I did was smash a plastic water bottle. I didn’t injury something. I wasn’t even within the locker room, I used to be upstairs within the fitness center, 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 Photos)
“After I got here again to the UK, Andy and I had been chatting and he fully made up that, due to me, 77 had acquired an enormous invoice by way of for damages to the gamers’ locker room! I felt horrible however was like, ‘I do not know what you’re speaking about’.
“I used to be anticipating at that time that he would break and giggle it off, however he simply stored going and didn’t say, ‘OK, I’ll allow them to understand 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 blended) 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 fully deadpan and also you’re probably not certain if he’s joking.
“I’ve all the time acquired on rather well with Andy. He’s a terrific man, simple to get on with. I don’t know any of the opposite high singles guys nicely, however really feel like he’s essentially the most down-to-earth and open (of them). It doesn’t matter who you’re, he’s all the time completely happy to speak, all the time very supportive.
“And I all the time loved taking part in with him — a terrific competitor who works actually laborious. Every time I’ve performed doubles with him, he’s all the time been centered and wished to enhance on his doubles.”
Leon Smith once more
In addition to having fun with fun along with his team-mates, Murray may 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 (blended doubles) medals on the earlier Video games in London 4 years earlier. As a part of his position, Murray addressed all the opposite British Olympians current in Rio.
Smith says: “He gave an incredible speech. We had this condominium block, after which an enormous garden in entrance, the place the British staff 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 completed your work, be proud that you just’re right here and know that you just’ve completed all the things you’ll be able to, so simply exit and provides your finest effort’.
“Easy however highly effective messaging. And since it’s coming from him, folks 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 manner.”
Emma Raducanu
Murray has set requirements for British ladies in tennis to aspire to as nicely.
Raducanu, the one different British winner of a singles Grand Slam title since 1977 and his chosen blended doubles accomplice at Wimbledon till her withdrawal, says: “I simply see him function day after day. How skilled he’s, how he’s within the fitness center an hour and a half earlier than follow. 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 once they play with him.”
Dan Evans
Evans was the person taking part in alongside Murray within the thrilling ultimate Olympics run, however their closeness goes manner past that. Murray has been an enormous assist 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 every of his qualifying matches on the 2016 Australian Open. “It’s unbelievable to return out, it’s freezing, the prospect of getting unwell — it’s a very good effort,” Evans stated.
Reflecting on all their a few years realizing one another, Evans says: “He’s all the time 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 completed, that’s perseverance’. He knew precisely what number of matches I hadn’t gained there and I used to be pondering, ‘You may have your personal stuff happening, in order that was fairly cool’.
“He’s been beneficiant, useful, all the things 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 assume.
“Davis Cup, behind the scenes, simply usually a category act.”
The idol: ‘I made an inventory of who I wished an image with. In fact, Andy was first on the record’
Murray’s longevity means gamers grew up admiring him after which turned a part of the tour with him. Because the Russian ladies’s world No 12 Daria Kasatkina, places it: “It’s been unimaginable to observe him on TV after which be with him at tournaments. I really feel fortunate to have skilled that.”
Mirra Andreeva
Certainly one of Murray’s largest 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 every of her matches on the Australian Open in January, she expressed how overwhelmed she was. “Truthfully, I didn’t assume 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 in some way. 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 day-after-day.”
Andreeva down 5-1 in third. Commentator “she actually must work on psychological facet of her sport.. she’s too laborious on herself when she’s dropping”
half-hour later 7-6 Andreeva wins.
Possibly the explanation she turned the match spherical is due to her psychological power. 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 quite a lot of images’. I had 25 or 30 footage that I might do. So I made an inventory of who I need to take an image (with). In fact, Andy was first on the record as a result of, I imply, we had a number of interactions, however I don’t also have a photograph with him. I assumed, ‘Properly, we have to repair that’.
“I noticed him a number of occasions 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 staff. 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 neglect 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 ultimate 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 steadily taking part in drop pictures — a ploy he stated he realized from watching Murray as a teenager. 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 after 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 Photos)
“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 dwelling nation. I used to be going for him each time. He’s one in every of my favorite gamers.
“I acquired to share the courtroom a number of occasions with him. That was particular. I don’t assume many youngsters on the planet could be watching these guys on TV and then you definitely 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 every of my favorite gamers, it was an actual honour.”
The fighter for equality: ‘I do know all feminine athletes actually admire it’
One thing that has set Murray aside has been his willingness to talk on points which might be vital to him. A type of is gender equality, and he has steadily referred to as folks out for perceived sexism. He fiercely defended Amelie Mauresmo from misogynistic feedback when he took the bizarre step of appointing her as his coach in 2014.
“He’ll be remembered as a terrific champion and an incredible position 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 vital issues and folks take heed to him. You get the sense when the gamers discuss him, not one individual isn’t unbelievably complimentary. Individuals genuinely admire what he’s completed for the game and for them. He ought to be remembered for a lot of, many issues. A fantastic human being, a terrific champion, a terrific ambassador for tennis and wider world points.”
Murray’s position as an advocate for girls’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 significantly 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 lots in tennis the place folks say a stat, particularly with the fellows and I’ll be like, ‘Properly, I did it (smiling)’. It’s good once they specify.
“What he’s completed with the ladies’s sport… him and his mom as nicely have completed lots. 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 scenario battling with accidents. He’s purely out right here for the enjoyment and love of the sport.
“The man performed unimaginable tennis in such a tricky period — even after, with a steel hip, and he’s nonetheless giving it 100 per cent, which is uncommon to see, particularly if 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. A number of gamers can study from that.”
Different gamers share Gauff’s view about how a lot Murray has completed for girls’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 admire it.
“Murray’s such a terrific man, such a tricky competitor. He loves tennis a lot and retains coming again. He’s had all these accidents. He’s relentless, his skill 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 completed lots 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 ultimate defeat in 2012. (Julian Finney / Getty Photos)
Madison Keys
Keys, America’s ladies’s world No 14, says: “It’s been superb (what he’s completed for girls’s tennis). He’s had an unimaginable profession but additionally to have probably the greatest male tennis gamers ever be such an advocate for girls’s tennis and girls’s sport is superb.”
Daria Kasatkina
Kasatkina says: “It’s essential (Murray advocating for girls’s tennis). He’s one of many few gamers who has completed that. He was the primary man to have a feminine coach, that was an enormous step. Andy is such a gentleman, an incredible individual. 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 completed a lot on tour, and out of doors the courtroom generally for girls’s tennis. He’s an unimaginable man.
“We’re going to overlook him lots. His British sense of humour was superb. Additionally, the man is such a personality on courtroom and he was probably the greatest gamers on the planet. So I actually take pleasure in him taking part in and attempting to study one thing from his sport.”
Murray and Mauresmo at Queen’s in 2014. (Jan Kreuger / Getty Photos)
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 the planet’s high 200.
The woman sharapova is taking part in goes to be primary on the planet in the future caroline garcia, what a participant u heard it right here first
— Andy Murray (@andy_murray) May 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, most likely by no means, however it’s nice to get that form of remark from somebody who is aware of tennis. I respect no matter he says.
“He introduced lots to tennis. As a participant on courtroom along with his work ethic, his preventing spirit, his willingness to undergo lots to win Slams, and all of the expectations — particularly at Wimbledon. And the burden on his shoulders.
“But additionally a terrific individual and human and supporting tennis generally — ladies’s tennis, and tweeting about it — which all the time made quite a lot of buzz and was essential. A fantastic champion, he introduced a lot to tennis — we owe him huge time. I hope he enjoys the second a part of his life and looks like he’s retired on his phrases.”
The legacy: ‘It’ll be bizarre not having him right here’
Chatting with these within the locker room, there’s a way there’ll be an enormous gap with out Murray round — particularly for many 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 babies. 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 Photos)
Jamie says: “It’ll be bizarre not having him right here. It’s a reasonably uncommon scenario 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 understand that, within the background, you’ve all the time acquired somebody from your loved ones — even should 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 an enormous miss.”
As for the person himself, Andy Murray says that the factor he’ll be most happy with in his profession is exhibiting the identical degree of dedication day in, day trip. “I believe the factor that I did a very 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 all the time got here into work with the identical dedication, work ethic, and fervour, as I had the day earlier than, whatever the highs and lows that the game had thrown at me.
“I definitely didn’t all the time get it proper. Like on the match days, I used to be not excellent by any stretch, however I did all the time come into work and put in a very good day. I gave my finest effort.
“Yeah, that’s what I’m happy with. So I assume, I don’t know, it’s for different folks 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 images: Daniel Kopatsch / Getty Photos; Design: Dan Goldfarb for The Athletic)