Wimbledon 2024: The highlights from Andy and Jamie Murray’s press conference
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It was an emotional night on Centre Court as the Wimbledon fans got a chance to pay tribute to two-time champion Andy Murray after his exited from the men’s doubles with brother Jamie.
While he’s still competing in the mixed doubles, it could be the final time that the former world No.1 walks out onto tennis’s greatest stage in front of the adoring British crowd.
After the tribute on court, the Murray brothers spoke to the press about a special night for the family.
Andy: “It was really nice. When the video was playing, my head was spinning a lot. It's difficult in those moments because there's a lot of people you want to thank and address, but it is not easy. It was pretty emotional, as well.
“Watching the video was nice, but hard as well, for me because you know it's coming to the end of something that you've absolutely loved doing for such a long time. So that's difficult.
“It was obviously really nice that a lot of the players stayed. Obviously, I have very close, good relationships with the British guys that were there, but there's also a number of players there on that court that I have enormous respect for, some of the greatest players in the history of the game.”
Jamie: “Andy got a great reception, as I think we all knew he was going to get. I think he did his absolute best to get himself in a position to play the match and be competitive.
“It was cool to be able to do that. I think the club did a really nice kind of tribute at the end. It was really nice that so many players stuck around for that, as well. It was nice to see some of the guys on court with Andy afterwards.”
Having undergone a trip down memory lane on court with the legendary Sue Barker, Murray was again asked about his legacy and what in his career he was most proud of.
Andy: “I find them quite difficult questions for me to answer because I don't think it's for me to sort of say, like, how I'd want other people to view me.
“There are things in my career that I'm really proud of. I certainly didn't get everything right during my career. I was far from perfect.
“I think the thing that I did a really good job of during my career was that, regardless of the highs and lows, whether it was winning tournaments, having difficult losses, an operation, a setback, that I always came into work with the same dedication, work ethic, and passion, as I had the day before.
“I certainly didn't always get it right. Like on the match days, I was not perfect by any stretch, but I did always come into work and put in a good day. I gave my best effort.”
The three-time Grand Slam champion is still competing in the mixed doubles and is planning to compete at the Olympics and although he hasn’t given a definitive date for his retirement yet, he was honest in talking through that decision.
Andy: “I'm ready to finish playing. I don't want that to be the case. I would love to play, like I said, forever. But today, even though it was a doubles match where physically it's obviously not as demanding, it's still really hard for me.
“If I knew my body was going to be able to do it, I would play – there's nothing about the sport that I hate and I'm like, I don't want to do it anymore for this reason. I like the travelling. I love the competition, practicing, trying to get better, all those things.
“Before what happened in Miami, I was starting to play good tennis. At Queen's I got through the first round there. I can still win matches at this level.
“I could definitely still win matches here on the grass once I'm recovered from the back injury, but I don't want to do that now.
“I know I could do it, but I have no plans to play singles again (at Wimbledon).”
Older brother Jamie, who has won five ATP doubles titles in the last two years, was also asked about his career and when a similar day might also come for him as well.
Jamie: “I still enjoy competing and still enjoy going to these events. I mean, the events keep getting better and better.
“Obviously, I haven't made the money that Andy's made in his career, so my motivation financially to keep playing is definitely there, as well.
“I still feel fit and healthy. I haven't had any surgeries or anything like that. I feel good. Yeah, I'm still enjoying being at these events, motivated to kind of keep working hard to stay at this level for as long as I can.
“When you do finish, it's difficult to replace that with something else in your life.”
Finally, Andy was also asked about his family and having his two eldest children in the crowd to watch him, and his brother play together for the first and last time at Wimbledon.
Andy: “I didn't know they were coming. When we were waiting in the locker room beforehand, I saw on one of the TVs that they were there sitting next to my wife. It was nice. They've only been to one other match that I played and sat in the stands before, in Nottingham last year.
“It was nice they managed to make it. Although I think my second was struggling I think. It was way past her bedtime.
“It was lovely they were able to come and watch.”