ANDY Murray was given an emotional tribute following his final tournament at Wimbledon started with defeat in the men’s doubles.
The two-time Wimbledon champion from Britain, playing alongside his brother Jamie, lost 7-6 (8/6) 6-4 to John Peers/Rinky Hijikata, drawing bitter disappointment from the Centre Court crowd.
Murray, the 2013 and 2016 Wimbledon champion, entered the men’s and mixed doubles events at the All England Club following running out of time to return to singles fitness following recent back surgery.
Murray’s parents, Judy and Willie, were on Centre Court with the tennis player’s wife and two daughters.
However, the former world number one might not deliver the win his loyal fans had been craving.
The Murray brothers failed to convert a set point in the opening set and were broken twice in the second.
Also read: Having to Withdraw from Queen’s Club Due to Injury, Andy Murray Hopes to Appear at Wimbledon
Following the defeat, viewers watched a video highlighting Murray’s career, with warm tributes paid by stars including Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and his former mixed doubles partner Serena Williams.
Djokovic was courtside to watch his career-long rival’s emotional night in the spotlight alongside past greats including John McEnroe and Martina Navratilova.
“Look, it’s tough because I want to keep playing but I can’t,” Murray said through tears during an on-court interview, quoted Friday (5/7).
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Physically, it’s too hard now, all these injuries, they add up.”
“I want to play forever, I love this sport and it’s given me so much. It’s taught me so many lessons over the years that I can use for the rest of my life. I don’t want to stop, so it’s tough,” the 37-year-old added.
Defeat does not mean the end of Murray’s journey at Wimbledon as he is also scheduled to play in the mixed doubles with fellow British player and former US Open champion Emma Raducanu.
The Scot, who has been plagued by injuries in recent years, is targeting the 2024 Paris Olympics, which start later this month, as the final tournament of his illustrious career. (Ant/Z-1)
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