END OF AN ERA

Tears everywhere as British icon Murray departs

After the initial tears at Roland Garros had dried, a contemplative Murray revealed how tough the final few months had been for him.

In Summary

•In the moments after Murray's illustrious career came to an end at the Paris 2024 Olympics, there was an outpouring of emotion.

•In 2018, he sobbed uncontrollably under his towel at the Washington Open as he battled through hip pain.

Britain's Andy Murray in action during a past match
Britain's Andy Murray in action during a past match
Image: FILE

 

Andy Murray cried. Dan Evans cried. Even BBC television presenter Clare Balding cried.

In the moments after Murray's illustrious career came to an end at the Paris 2024 Olympics, there was an outpouring of emotion.

It was felt at Roland Garros by Murray, by his British teammates, by the thousands of adoring fans chanting his name.

It was also felt across a nation which will never see one of its sporting icons play professionally again - and Balding's reaction probably summed up the feelings of many who have watched this British hero over the years.

"It was emotional because it's the last time I will play a competitive match," said Murray, who was also applauded by his mother Judy watching on. "But I am genuinely happy just now. I'm happy with how it finished."

Murray is no stranger to getting emotional in public, of course. Most famously, there were the tears on Wimbledon's Centre Court after losing to Roger Federer in the 2012 final, finally endearing him to a larger share of the British public.

"This isn't going to be easy..." he said to Sue Barker on court post-match that day before the tears came.

Before that, he welled up after losing the 2010 Australian Open final to Roger Federer - quipping he could "cry like Roger... it's a shame I can't play like him".

Once he did land that Grand Slam title—and two more after that— it was an injury that led to more tears.

In 2018, he sobbed uncontrollably under his towel at the Washington Open as he battled through hip pain.

On the eve of the 2019 Australian Open, Murray broke down in a pre-tournament news conference when he revealed he might have to retire because of impending hip resurfacing surgery, which he thought would end his career.

Five and a half years later, and after squeezing every last drop out of his comeback, Murray was finally content to call it a day.

"It's been really hard. Physically, pain-wise, I feel bad," he said.

"Physically, I can go on the court and perform at a competitive level.

"We were close to getting in the medal rounds here. That's OK but the pain and discomfort in my body is not good and that's also why I'm happy to be finishing.

"If I kept going and kept trying, eventually you end up having an injury potentially ending your career.

"I know that now is the right time and physically."

After the initial tears at Roland Garros had dried, a contemplative Murray revealed how tough the final few months had been for him.

An ankle injury in March disrupted what was already planned to be his final season and when he did manage to race back, his participation in an emotional goodbye to Wimbledon came under threat as he needed back surgery to remove a cyst.