Tennis legend Serena Williams has honoured Andy Murray for his inspiring career and constant activism for women’s athletes in an emotional video, following his emotional Wimbledon farewell. Murray lost in the first round of the men’s doubles at Wimbledon on Thursday before a ceremony was conducted on Centre Court, as he was given a hero’s send-off.
Murray doesn’t want to retire, but he’s been battling severe injuries for several years and is preparing to call time on his career. The 37-year-old will retire as a legend in the sport, and fellow icon Williams sent him a touching message in a video posted to social media.
Congratulations to you, Andy Murray, on such an incredible career, I have to say I’ve always enjoyed watching you,” Williams said. “One of the main reasons is because you were one of the few players who would be more angry than me on the court. Which is a very hard thing to do.
“May have an attitude just a little like mine, just saying. But to me, it was the most exciting thing to watch and I had the pleasure of playing mixed doubles next to you, by your side, which was such a fantastic experience to do that at Wimbledon nonetheless.
It was one of the highlights of my life. So I’m just so grateful that I had that experience and I also hold a special place in my heart to you because you always speak out so much for women. And everything that women deserve.
You were the leader in that and the things you spoke up about, the things you said about myself and Venus… about how we were so inspiring and what we meant to you, it really went such a long way in my heart. I will always be grateful for that.
“The support you gave myself, the support you gave women, and the excitement that you brought to tennis. Watching you win Wimbledon and the U.S. Open and those gold medals, so exciting and I just truly enjoyed it.
I’ve always been such a fan as you already know and I’ll always be cheering you on in whatever you decide to do. Congratulations on such an amazing career.
Murray has always been a supporter of Williams, and gained huge respect when being told by a reporter he was the first person to win two Olympic gold medals in tennis. Murray corrected the reporter, who was only considering the men’s competition, and replied: “I think Venus and Serena have won about four each.”
As a true competitor, retirement is a difficult decision but Murray admitted his body is deciding his future for him.
“It is hard because I would love to keep playing, but I can’t. Physically, it’s just too tough now,” Murray said Thursday on Centre Court. “I want to play forever, I love the sport. It’s given me so much, taught me loads of lessons over the years that I can use in the rest of my life. I don’t want to stop, so it is hard.”
