Tennis, tears and a memorable farewell to honor Andy Murray, the phenomenal Scottish champion capable of breaking the hegemony of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, taking a deserved space in the history of tennis. I was also moved during the ceremony. I won’t hide it: Murray has always been one of my favorite tennis players, for what he managed to achieve, for his determination and I also struggled to contain the tears, while writing this article. Andy, at his last Wimbledon of his glorious career, could not hold back the tears during the special ceremony that the organizers of the Championships prepared for him on Center Court, the most famous tennis stage in the world.
It was not his last match on the lawns of the All England Club (he will also play the highly anticipated mixed doubles with Emma Raducanu) but playing with his brother Jamie almost closed a circle that had opened years ago, between pressure and expectations, closed with glory and honor. It does not matter if Rinky Hijikata and John Peers put an end to his journey in the Murray brothers’ men’s doubles tournament, because the emotions felt yesterday evening are worth an entire career.
His entire family was present in the box and, at the end of the match, listened with great involvement to his speech. Murray spoke of his love for tennis and greeted his fans on one of the iconic Wimbledon Walkways, before embracing on the court some of the tennis players who have written and are writing new pages of tennis history. Andy gave everything for this sport, fighting to come back after every single injury. Murray suffered several injuries – many of them serious – and he never gave up, showing that he possesses an extraordinary strength of resilience.
Perhaps this is the great legacy that he will leave to future generations: that desire to always fight despite everything. Wimbledon broadcast an emotional video, also made by his three historic rivals Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, who gave further glory and emotion to the Scottish champion.
Djokovic wanted to pay homage to Murray by appearing directly on the Centre Court and giving fans a hug that will go down in history. In addition to Djokovic, some of his former Davis Cup teammates took part in the ceremony – presented for the occasion by Sue Barker – such as Cameron Norrie, Jack Draper, Daniel Evans, Tim Henman, but also Martina Navratilova, John McEnroe, Holger Rune and Iga Swiatek.
What can you say about the career of a man who has borne the brunt of the pressure and expectations that the British media and fans have placed on his talent since he was young? What else can you say about a man who has overcome serious injuries, returning to compete after it seemed impossible to do so? A man, a child, who miraculously escaped a massacre when he was at school, who cares deeply about his family, who makes discretion and class his trademark. Murray on the court could have his moments of transitory madness, but off the court he was always available, kind, willing to help others. He did so much for tennis. We owe him so much. Thank you Andy, on behalf of myself and the entire Tennis World USA staff, for the emotions you gave us.
