An emotional Andy Murray expressed gratitude for “going out on my own terms” after his magnificent tennis career was finally brought to a close before joking that he “never even liked tennis anyway”.
Murray and his partner Dan Evans, also probably enjoying his final Games, were easily swept aside in 73 minutes by Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul in a straight-sets Olympic quarter-finals doubles defeat to the USA.
However, as Murray retired to immediate tributes from the Prime Minister and an arena in his name, he continued to play down his status in the sport. “Andy is fine,” he joked when asked whether he would finally allow his fans to call him Sir Andy following his 2017 knighthood.
A thunderous storm erupted in the skies above as Murray walked off court and then described in detail how it was “not the perfect ending” but that he was thankful to have played both at Wimbledon and the Olympics this summer after doctors wrote him off in June.
“I’m glad I got to go out here at the Olympics on my terms,” he explained. “I knew it was time after surgery. I was looking forward to the end.” He also tweeted simply: “Never even liked tennis anyway.”
As thoughts turned immediately to life after tennis, he added “I don’t know what I’m going to do”, but he ruled out commentating. “I’ll be away from the sport for a few months if not longer assessing options,” he said, later adding that “being a dad” is “something I really look forward to doing.”
Murray’s body has been creaking in recent months – even after a cyst was removed from his back – and he admitted “pain wise, I feel bad”.
Queen’s rename court at Andy Murray Arena
Immediately after the match, the LTA pledged to honour the greatest British tennis player of modern times by naming the centre court seating arena at the London Championships at The Queen’s Club as the Andy Murray Arena.
Scott Lloyd, the LTA’s chief executive, said: “Andy is the greatest tennis player ever to come from this country and a giant of British sport. His contribution to the game is immense and has bought us all so many moments of pride. He was relentless in his pursuit of excellence and had a single-minded determination to succeed.”
It had been a chastening night overall on court for Murray and Evans, who had previously rolled back the years to fight back from seven match points in their opening two rounds. The pair did enjoy some plucky moments to lift the crowd, breaking serve in the second set. But overall at these Games in Paris, the pair were left to cherish a memorable farewell and a bromance that has produced enduring moments for Team GB.
The two-time Wimbledon champion – the first Briton to take the title post-war – has always held a special place in his heart for the Olympics. Back in 2012, just weeks after a heartbreaking defeat in the Wimbledon final, Murray won gold in the men’s singles tournament and a silver in the mixed doubles in London. It was a major milestone which led to him winning his first grand slam later that same year at the US Open, before going on to become the first British man in 77 years to win an All England Club title in 2013.
He then defended his Olympic title in Rio in the same year he became world No 1. While rivals such as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic may have won more grand slams, Murray has more Olympic success than any of them.
Tributes from Djokovic and Starmer
Last night Djokovic said of Murray’s legacy: “I have only praise for him. He’s been an incredible competitor out on the court – one of the greatest warriors tennis has seen. His fighting spirit is something that will inspire many generations to come. I’ve been inspired by him even though we’re the same age. With his artificial hip, surgeries and all the injuries, to keep coming back and keep grinding at the challenger level to build rankings. That is super impressive for someone who has had the career he’s had.”
The 6-2, 6-4 defeat had been 21 years since his first professional match, but Murray, ever the self-critic, suggested he could have played better. “We found a way at the end to make it competitive and difficult for them but it wasn’t enough,” he said “It’s been a fun week, created some great moments in the matches, particularly at the end of all three of them. I just wish we could have done better.”
Sir Keir Starmer immediately thanked Murry “for two decades of phenomenal entertainment and sportsmanship” and said he was “a true British great.”
Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney said: “The whole of Scotland is so proud of Sir Andy and while we are disappointed that we will no longer get to see him compete with his trademark fighting spirit, we thank him for the incredible memories he gave us over so many years and wish him the very best for his well-earned retirement.”