S Poddar
Andy Murray took an emotional leave from the game after having been defeated in the quarterfinals of men’s doubles at the Paris Olympics. Curtains were thus brought down on an extraordinary career by this erstwhile world No. 1 champion. For him, innumerable messages came from tennis legends Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
The tears were in his eyes, but Murray waved to the crowd with finality after he and Dan Evans had been defeated, marking the final chapter of his professional journey. Federer, who had earlier announced his retirement, reacted through a video, complimenting the many achievements Murray had rung up.
“Hey Andy, many, many congratulations, my friend, on an incredible career,” Federer wrote. “Wimbledon Champion, US Open Champion, Davis Cup Champion, Olympic Champion and so much more. You’ve been a true inspiration to me and countless others. Injuries are a part of the journey, but continuing to play with such determination and passion is truly admirable. Congrats on everything you’ve achieved and all the best for what’s to come.”
Now that Nadal and Novak Djokovic are the only active members of the sport’s “big four,” Nadal also paid tribute to Murray. “You are one of the most loved players in the locker room; by character and charisma, you have lived up to that reputation,” Nadal said in his video message. “I have enjoyed the rivalry and the friendship we have shared. You have done so much and I wish you all the best for the future with your family.”
Murray was handed a guard of honour when he arrived at Team GB’s performance lodge in Paris. Instead of flying home immediately, he is going to spend some time attending some Olympic events as a real fan with his wife, Kim, and their oldest daughter, Sophia.
In an interview with Eurosport, Murray revealed his immediate plans – and a message he had received from tennis legend Bjorn Borg. “He said, ‘Congrats to one of the all-time greats, good luck for what’s next,'” Murray revealed. While brushing off any suggestion that his career was as dominant as his peers, he reflected on a career in which he did pride himself on achievements during their era. “To compete with the best and reach number one in the world meant a lot to me,” he said. “It hasn’t been easy, but recognition from someone like Borg is really special.”
