Andy Murray is met by Serena and Venus, Swiatek, with the phrase "a particular spot in my heart".

 

 

6/7/2024,

Andy Murray is a three-time Grand Slam winner who has shown his appreciation to his Hologic WTA Tour teammates on a regular basis. He achieved this by making Amélie Mauresmo the coach an unprecedented choice a decade ago and by placing female players at the forefront of the discussion when discussing tennis records in interviews.

 

Women's tennis giants from the past and present showed their support for Murray on Thursday at Wimbledon after he and his brother Jamie Murray lost in the first round of the men's doubles competition. They were among those present to honour the Scot's tennis career, which is worthy of the Hall of Fame.

"It was really nice that they stuck behind because we did finish quite late," Murray stated. "I am aware that a few of them played today. They could wish to get into bed and start healing. Their prolonged presence was truly appreciated."

The 37-year-old effectively confirmed that this season would be his last as a player when he pulled out of the men's singles draw earlier this week due to back surgery he had less than two weeks prior to the competition starting. He had hinted at it as early as February of this year.

 

The All England Club brought out the big names to honour the man who ended a 77-year drought for a home Wimbledon champion in 2013, even though Thursday's 7-6(6), 6-4 loss against his older brother was probably not his final match at Wimbledon. Later this week, he'll play in mixed doubles with Emma Raducanu, which the 2021 US Open champion called a "once-in-a-lifetime" opportunity.

 

Sue Barker, a former World No. 3 who left her position as the tournament's longtime presenter after the 2022 tournament, came out of retirement to spearhead the special Centre Court ceremony. It included a group of current and former major players as well as a video tribute with narrations by Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Venus Williams winners, including as Iga Swiatek, Martina Navratilova, and Conchita Martinez. A standing ovation moved Murray to tears, and even Navratilova dropped a few too, so there wasn't a dry eye in the house.

Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam singles champion who is recognised for having contributed to equalising prize money for men and women at the grass-court major twenty years ago, emphasised Murray's moral fibre as a supporter of gender parity.

On social media, athletes also showered affection. 2019 saw Serena Williams and Murray play mixed doubles. In a touching video statement, Williams celebrated Murray's career, personality, and steadfast support for women's tennis.

 

"I also hold a special place in my heart for you because you always speak out so much for women and everything that women deserve," Serena stated. "For that, you were the leader. Your words about Venus and me, how inspirational we were, and how much you valued us, touched me deeply. For it, I will always be appreciative."

 

World No. 1 Iga Swiatek led the way for the active players on the Hologic WTA Tour. Having defeated Petra Martic earlier in the day, Swiatek returned to Centre Court to participate in the ceremony. Murray's efforts was praised by the 23-year-old, who stated that WTA players "couldn't wish for better support for women's tennis."

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"Thank you for everything, it was a privilege to stand on Centre Court tonight," Swiatek stated in a message. "Thank you so much for your incredible career. You are very remarkable."

 

Daria Kasatkina and Ons Jabeur also contributed posts in remembrance, with Kasatkina acknowledging that she had cried a little too.

"Idk [I don't know] if I'm in tears from sadness or laughing," she added in her post.

Murray was also praised by two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova and former World No. 1 Victoria Azarenka.

Murray and Raducanu will probably play their mixed doubles debut on Saturday against Zhang Shuai and Marcelo Arévalo of El Salvador, as their Friday match is not scheduled.

 

Raducanu defeated Elise Mertens in the second round of the singles competition on Wednesday. "My doubles record isn't exactly the longest, or the most vast, but I couldn't say no," Raducanu explained. "It's a once in a lifetime opportunity."Ever since I watched the Olympics as a little child, it has been my dream. Andy is our collective hero. I could never say no to this moment, which I saw as a true gift and an honour that he wanted me to partake in. Additionally, I'm ecstatic to play mixed doubles and maybe pick up some tips on approaching the net or other things."