(2024 Getty Images)
Upon his arrival, the other British Olympians at the centre had formed a receiving line, known in Great Britain as a guard of honour. They cheered wildly as Murray strolled in, slowed at 37 by several hip surgeries – and a collection of other injuries that spelled the end of his career.
“Thank you,” Murray kept repeating as he made his way through the cheers. “Thank you very much.”
It was clear that the tennis champion was overwhelmed by the reception, which came just over 12 hours after he and doubles partner Dan Evans had lost in the quarter-finals of Paris 2024, ending their hope for a medal – and, subsequently – Murray’s career.
“It was obviously sad leaving the court for the last time,” Murray said minutes later in a sit-down with Olympics.com. “But happy, too. You know, ultimately, I’m glad I got to finish my career on my own terms. You know, on the court in front of a brilliant crowd.”
Andy Murray: “I gave the sport as best I could”
What comes next for Murray isn’t exactly clear, except for prioritised time with his family, including his four children. His oldest, Sophia, had a vested interested in these last Olympics, and had asked her father if they could take in some of Paris 2024 together.
Luckily, dad had some connections.
“I thought we’d try and get her along to watch some of the sports and see what inspires her,” Murray said.
Sport has always been a family affair for Murray, who was brought into tennis by his mother, Judy, and played growing up with brother Jamie, who ended up being one of the most successful doubles players of this era.
“I would never force sport on children or anybody, but I would encourage giving it a go just because I do think it teaches you lots of great lessons about work ethic and teamwork and dealing with failing and how to deal with highs and success, as well. There’s many positives that come from playing sport. And I’d encourage that for my children, too.”
For those inside tennis, as well as the greater British public and many who have come across Murray off the court, the sometimes sullen, “is-he-having-fun-out-there” competitor has been a transformative figure in many ways, including his stand for female sport, leading voice on pivotal topics – and unflappable sarcasm.
“There’s lots of things in my career that I’m proud of,” he reflected. “I worked extremely hard throughout my career to try and get the most out of myself. There’s obviously things that I regret and things I wish I could have done better or differently… behaved differently in certain situations and things like that. I was by no means perfect. But yeah, I gave the sport as best as I could: It was always trying to improve and get better and… yeah, I’m proud of the results.”
Below is an edited version of Murray’s chat with Olympics.com.
“The Olympics is the best sporting event”
Olympics.com: How do you feel about the final chapter? I think we could go back a few years, but especially the last few months. You say you got to do it on your own terms. How does that feel as an athlete to be able to that? That’s a tough decision, retirement.
Andy Murray: Yeah, it is difficult. I think it’s very personal as well. Like, I feel like in the last few years, a lot of the guys that have been up at the top of the game, they have been asked that question a lot: ‘When are you going to retire?’ ‘When is the right time?’ And it’s not always that helpful becausethe athletes maybe don’t know themselves and I don’t think there is a perfect ending; there’s no right way for everyone. It’s going to be different for each person.
I was there when Roger finished playing and seeing him competing in doubles alongside Rafa was an amazing ending, but not one that many people would have expected for Federer’s last match. For me, the Olympics has been an unbelievably special event to me. Although I made my living playing singles, to be on the doubles court with Dan who’s been a friend of mine for many years… [it’s] not a fairytale ending, which would have been winning a medal. But having a brilliant run has been really special, being surrounded by all of my teammates and having my friends and family here. It’s been really nice.
Olympics.com: Especially for you as a tennis player, why have the Olympics meant so much to you in your career?
Murray: Because it’s the best sporting event. I love tennis, obviously, but I ultimately love sport. I watch lots and lots of sport. I grew up playing all sorts of sports with my brother and my family.
Murray retains tennis title in Rio
Rafael Nadal has “never really changed” as a person
Olympics.com: Can we reflect a little bit on London and Rio? Those were quite different tournaments weren’t they? But you’re still the only player to do the two singles golds…What does that mean to you, Andy? And how do you reflect on those two victories?
Murray: Yeah. London obviously for me and for all of the British athletes, it was like, you’re only going to get one chance at playing in a home Olympics. And the fact that it was at Wimbledon as well, which is obviously a special venue for all tennis players. Getting to win a gold medal playing against Roger Federer, who’s obviously one of the greatest tennis players of all time, yeah, it was amazing.
And Rio was a very different atmosphere. But again, just an incredible outcome. I played against [Juan Martin] Del Potro in the final there and it was like proper split of the Brazilian fans that were behind me, and a lot of Argentinians were there behind him. It was more like a football, soccer-type of atmosphere. Whereas Wimbledon, the crowd was very much right behind me.
So, yeah, totally different, but amazing, amazing experiences.
Olympics.com: Paris 2024 was a really special tennis tournament. Yourself, Rafa, Angie Kerber. We’re not sure exactly what Rafa’s path looks like, but what has Rafa, his legacy… What’s he meant to you in your career? You guys have shared so many different moments.
Murray: I mean he’s obviously been phenomenal. Well, I mean an unbelievable player, first. And for him, some of the achievements he had on the court I don’t think will ever be matched. I mean, winning – I always get this wrong it’s just so ridiculous – I think it was 14 French Opens? It’s wild. I can’t believe that it’s possible to win that many times at one event, especially a Slam. I think that’s a record that will stand for an extremely long time.
But I think the way he went about things in terms of his sportsmanship and his work ethic, his professionalism and all of those things, [that’s] what would stand out for me. He controlled himself unbelievably well on the court and showed huge, huge passion when competing for Spain.
He had an amazing career. I’ve known him since we were like 12 or 13 years old and he’s always really remained the same, as well. You know, he’s never really changed. I don’t know what’s next for him, but yeah, what a career he’s had and I hope he’s able to keep going if that’s what he wants to do.
(Getty Images)
Andy Murray on what’s next – and his Olympic pin collection
Olympics.com: Andy, what’s next for you? Is there coaching in the future or the commentary booth. What piques your interest?
Murray: Yeah I mean, I don’t think like commentary is something that I would like to do. To be honest, the coaching would be more of my sort of thing, I think. I don’t know whether that’s something that I will definitely do, but yeah, I would consider doing that in the future, but not immediately. I want to spend time at home with my family and my children and not be travelling around the world as much because it’s become harder and harder the last few years as the kids have gotten a bit older. The tennis tour takes you away from them for three or four weeks at a time, and it’s not easy. So I want to spend time at home with them. And then, when I’ve had a bit of time to rest and relax, we’ll see what’s next.
Olympics.com: Okay. Last question. How’s that Olympic pin collection? What pin are you pining for?
Murray: Well, I actually wanted the Jamaican pin and I got that this morning. I went on a walk around the Village this morning and I got that. I’m trying to think which other ones. It’s always tough… some of the countries you might not expect to get can have the best pins. I just see what I can get. I think I’m probably on about 75, 80 pins now. But yeah, I’ve got another couple days left here, so we’ll see what I can do.
Olympics.com: Andy, thank you so much. Congratulations.
