Andy Murray retires: What he meant to tennis, by Nadal, Gauff, Djokovic and more

As tennis says farewell to Andy Murray after an exciting last occasion on the Olympics, The Athletic has spoken to virtually 30 gamers, coaches and different luminaries to grasp what the three-time Grand Slam champion, double Olympic champion and legend of British tennis means to the game.

From these closest to him, equivalent to his brother, Jamie, and Nice Britain Davis Cup captain Leon Smith, to rivals together with Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, and WTA gamers Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka, who’ve admired his struggle for gender equality, the 27 folks under have damaged down the totally different parts of Murray’s sport and persona, having seen him up shut all through his life and profession. Murray himself additionally explains what he’s most pleased with from his 19-year profession on the ATP Tour.

The Corridor of Famer: ‘He was a monster – it was a “Huge 4” for certain’

Initially, Murray was a world-class participant. One in every of his rivals, Stan Wawrinka, stated just lately that it was a ‘Huge 4’ moderately than a ‘Huge Three’, with Murray meriting a spot in that group with Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, due to his unbelievable consistency. That’s why Wawrinka — a three-time Grand Slam winner, similar as Murray, however nothing like as environment friendly in reaching main finals or profitable different titles — places the Scotsman in a distinct class from himself.

Just about all the gamers who confronted Murray agree.

Rafael Nadal

One in every of Murray’s Huge 4 rivals throughout that period was Nadal, the 22-time Grand Slam champion. The pair performed one another 24 occasions, with Nadal main the head-to-head 17-7, which included two wins for Murray on clay.

Nadal says: “We all know one another since we had been small children. He’s one yr youthful. Once we had been taking part in by groups — Spain, Nice Britain — he was on the crew one yr youthful. We all know one another very properly. We develop collectively on the tour, even when he arrived somewhat bit later than me.

“Andy had an incredible profession. I feel in a roundabout way… I imply, I don’t wish to say he deserves kind of as a result of, on the finish, if I say I deserve extra if I don’t have accidents, no? No, I don’t, as a result of I had the accidents, no? He had a variety of finals. He was an incredible participant who most likely performed in a troublesome second as a result of he shared the tour on the prime time of Novak, Roger and myself.

“He was the one which was on the similar degree as us normally phrases. When it comes to victories, he achieved much less however when it comes to degree of tennis, of getting, mentally, the profitable spirit week after week, he was the one one which was very near being on the similar degree as us.”

David Goffin

Goffin’s sport matched up terribly to Murray’s and he misplaced all eight of their conferences. The Belgian, as soon as ranked No 7 on the earth, was additionally the autumn man for considered one of Murray’s most well-known wins — the one which secured Nice Britain the Davis Cup in 2015. The ultimate level, which Murray gained with a trademark lob, was proof of his distinctive court docket craft and shotmaking capability.

Goffin can be in little doubt that Murray deserved his place within the Huge 4 group.

Goffin says: “He killed me on a regular basis. It’s wonderful what Andy did for the game. I performed him many occasions, and I at all times felt that he was too good. It’s insane what he did, particularly with the opposite three massive guys taking part in with him.

“He was a part of the Huge 4. He was world No 1. He gained Grand Slams. He gained so many Masters 1000s (14 in whole). He was only a monster, a legend.”

Stan Wawrinka

Wawrinka, a longtime pal and rival says: “It’s been greater than 20 years (that we’ve identified one another). There are numerous recollections. It was particular to play right here towards him at house (at Wimbledon in 2009). He’s been an incredible champion. He pushed everyone. He’s been an instance for a lot of gamers.

“And he’s an ideal man. We’re good buddies. We arrived somewhat bit on the similar occasions. We spent so many occasions collectively — on the court docket, in observe court docket, we practise tons of occasions collectively. We at all times had a very good relationship.”

John McEnroe

McEnroe by no means shared a court docket with Murray, however the seven-time Grand Slam singles champion is unequivocal on the Scot’s standing throughout the sport.

“He’s one of many biggest the game has ever seen,” McEnroe says. “He left no stone unturned to be one of the best he may very well be. Till he received harm, it was the Huge 4, it wasn’t the Huge Three. He completed 2016 because the No 1 participant, forward of these guys — that’s fairly an achievement. 

“He gained three Slams, reached 11 Grand Slam finals. First-ballot Corridor of Famer. Unimaginable profession, particularly contemplating the gamers he was up towards. Murray has the respect of everybody within the tennis world — in the end, that’s all you may ask for.”

The competitor: ‘Even in doubles, he was getting fired up for each level’

Djokovic and Murray had been born inside per week of one another, and after going through one another many occasions as juniors, shared 36 matches on the ATP Tour, together with seven Grand Slam finals (two of which Murray gained). Of his many attributes, Djokovic picks out his resilience and dedication. 

Novak Djokovic

Djokovic says: “Simply unbelievable resilience all through all his profession. A number of Grand Slam winner. Legend of the sport. No 1 on the earth. Going to play challenger circuit to construct his rankings on clay, his least favorite floor, says quite a bit about his character.

“Simply big inspiration to all of the gamers. Doesn’t thoughts getting out on the court docket for hours on daily basis. Unimaginable skilled. His method is one thing to check, little doubt.

“His will to push and see how far he can go, even with a man-made hip, is one thing that’s simply inspiring but additionally serves as an ideal instance I feel to a variety of the athletes, youthful ones, that begin to complain about this and that.

“So he has left an ideal mark on and off the court docket, little doubt, for the tennis. However one thing tells me, once more, that he’ll preserve going.”

Sebastian Korda

Murray’s combating spirit is famous, and it enabled him to supply so many wonderful comebacks. We consider this primarily within the context of massive Grand Slam singles matches with heaps at stake. However even on the doubles court docket, in direction of the top of his profession, in his mid-30s and with a metallic alternative left hip, he was nonetheless scrapping for each ball.

Earlier this yr, American world No 21 Korda requested Murray if he fancied taking part in doubles with him. They joined forces in Miami in March, beating Tallon Griekspoor and Julian Money within the first spherical earlier than an ankle harm dominated Murray out of the occasion.

Korda, 24, grew up watching Murray and couldn’t consider how invested his companion was in that match.

Korda says: “He’s an unbelievable particular person. He’s the most important competitor on the market. Even in our doubles match, he was getting fired up for each level. It was simply superior to see. And to see the legend that he’s, and the best way he carries himself on court docket. It’s only a huge inspiration.”

Grigor Dimitrov

The previous Wimbledon semi-finalist and present world No 10 Dimitrov, says it’s Murray’s mentality that has at all times stood out to him.

Dimitrov says: “We’ve at all times received on properly and been shut. You possibly can be taught quite a bit from him — on totally different facets, like the best way his mentality has been and what he’s been in a position to obtain. He at all times tries to come back again and struggle by way of — that’s fairly wonderful.”

The tactician: ‘Aged 11, he stored drop-shotting this man as a result of he knew he couldn’t beat him for energy’

One in every of Murray’s greatest belongings was his tactical nous. He knew he didn’t possess a number of the overwhelming shotmaking the opposite Huge 4 gamers did. He found out the best way to use his smarts and court docket craft, which had at all times been an enormous a part of his sport rising up — Murray was on the shorter facet till he was about 15, and went by way of a sudden development spurt.

Leon Smith

Smith is aware of Murray in addition to nearly anybody. He would turn out to be his Davis Cup captain for 13 years, however he first noticed Murray as a four-year-old, taking part in quick tennis. His mom, Judy, who was in control of tennis in Scotland, would convey him alongside to junior tournaments Smith was taking part in in.

A couple of years later, Judy requested Smith, in his twenties and beginning out as a coach, if he might act as a hitting companion for her son, who was then about 11. The pair received on properly, and Smith took on a casual mentoring function and began taking the child to tournaments — together with the celebrated Orange Bowl occasion in Miami for prime kids in 1999.

Murray gained the occasion within the 12-and-under class and Smith received a primary glimpse into how tactically clued-up he already was.

Smith says: “Whenever you put him on a match court docket, the man simply lit up. He wouldn’t need to lose. That last of the Orange Bowl, I bear in mind him drop-shotting the man (Tomas Piskacek from the Czech Republic) so many occasions. He stored drop-shot-and-lobbing him. This man was a lot larger than him — Andy wasn’t that massive, he was extra common to small dimension. And he stored drop-shotting this man as a result of he knew he couldn’t beat him for energy, and I simply bear in mind so many drop-shot-and-lob combos.”

Beating extra highly effective gamers along with his guile and know-how later turned Murray’s calling card on the ATP Tour.

Cameron Norrie

British No 2 Norrie grew up watching Murray and, since turning professional and becoming a member of his compatriot on the British Davis Cup crew, has soaked up as a lot data from him as potential.

He says: “I ask him a thousand questions. If I wanted assist with something, I used to be at all times asking and calling him, and he was at all times there to assist me, and I received on very well with him in Davis Cup.”

One in every of Norrie’s takeaways from all these conversations is that Murray will make a prime coach in the future — a view many others share.

Norrie says: “He’s a very good man to spend time round, and his tennis information is unbelievable. He remembers all the main points. It’s nice to be round that degree of professionalism. Getting the prospect to play towards him is at all times robust and actually good. 

“For those who ask him about any participant, he’ll provide the particulars on the whole lot: the place they wish to hit their forehand and usually wish to serve and the way they transfer, their little tendencies and what they do. He’s watching a variety of tennis, not simply practising. He is aware of how they play and he’ll be a very good coach.”

The locker-room legend: ‘A very respectful man and a cool dude’

In addition to his distinctive achievements on the court docket, Murray will depart a legacy as a massively common determine inside tennis off it. He was cherished within the dressing room for his wry sense of humour and assist for different gamers.

Dominic Thiem

Thiem had fairly a bit in frequent with Murray. Each discovered their path to Grand Slam titles always blocked by the Huge Three (Thiem misplaced three Grand Slam finals to Huge Three gamers; Murray misplaced eight — 5 to Djokovic, three to Federer). Each had been in the end struck down by accidents.

Thiem hopes that, in the future, they’ll have a beer or two collectively and swap battle tales.

He says: “I love him and I like him — as an athlete and an individual. He was one of many folks texting me once I received injured, once I was on my means again, and in addition now. After my farewell in Roland Garros (this yr), he despatched me a very nice message, which he didn’t have to do. He simply stated it was wonderful to see how I received my farewell and the way emotional it was. This gave me a variety of pleasure as a result of he’s had his points as properly — though means worse.

“That’s the opposite factor about him — to do what he has carried out with a metallic hip is solely wonderful. He deserved far more. The Huge Three had been in the best way for him. However then, the best way he was combating again with the metallic hip and nonetheless taking part in, it’s admirable. He’s an enormous function mannequin for each participant.

“We solely spoke from time to time for a couple of minutes within the locker room, which is sweet in fact however shouldn’t be sufficient. It could be actually fascinating, with him and the opposite guys, to have a extremely deep dialog, and possibly in the future I’m going to come back to Wimbledon and meet with him and speak about these things.

“Yeah (over a beer or two), loosen up.”

Carlos Alcaraz

Reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion Alcaraz is a participant Murray loves watching. He has been vocal in supporting the younger Spaniard, proper from the beginning of his profession.

Alcaraz has big respect for Murray, who had one other message for him when the pair hit collectively on the pre-Wimbledon match at Queen’s in London final week.

Alcaraz says: “Each time I discuss to him, I used to be actually targeted. Each phrase I’m listening to from him, it’s wonderful. I hear a variety of good issues. He spoke to me on Twitter, on Instagram. He watched a variety of my matches. For me, these items are wonderful.

“After I practised with him (at Queen’s), he congratulated me in regards to the French Open, that it was wonderful stuff. Listening to these phrases from him, it was wonderful. He’s a legend. I’ve big respect for him, the whole lot he’s carried out in sport. He has crushed the Huge Three many, many occasions of their prime degree. It’s one thing wonderful.

“His legacy in tennis and in sport goes to be without end.”

Tomas Machac

One in every of Murray’s last matches was towards Machac, in Miami in March this yr. Murray performed on after rupturing ankle ligaments however wished his opponent properly on the finish of a three-set defeat.

Machac, 23, says: “It was a tricky match, however after we shook arms he was tremendous, like a legend. In the course of the match, he tried the whole lot to beat me however then on the finish, he was very good — he stated, ‘Nicely performed, good luck for the match’.

“He’s a legend of the game and a particular particular person and participant, so he’ll be missed quite a bit.”

Gael Monfils

On the different finish of his profession from Alcaraz and Machac is 37-year-old Monfils, Murray’s one-time rival at junior degree. The pair have been taking part in one another for greater than 25 years and in 2004, gained all the junior Grand Slams between them (Monfils the primary three, Murray the U.S. Open).

Monfils says: “It’s loopy as a result of I performed Andy the primary time once I was 11 and he was 10. All people’s totally different — now we have a distinct goal et cetera. I’m an enormous fan of Andy. His achievements, his profession, the man he’s. He’s a extremely respectful man and a cool dude. A legend of the game.

“I attempt to be taught from him. What he’s carried out is loopy good.”

The British flagbearer (and p**s-taker): ‘Inspirational however understated’ 

Murray’s compatriots will maybe miss him essentially the most. He has been an enormous supply of assist to them. “He’s given a variety of time to folks — youthful guys, practising with them after they weren’t established, providing them recommendation in the event that they requested for it,” says Smith, who has seen up shut in his function as Davis Cup captain how influential Murray has been.

“A day after what occurred right here (the harm at Queen’s towards Jordan Thompson this June), he’s down at pre-qualies, bloody Southfields at Wimbledon, watching a 17-year-old Charlie Robertson. Up rocks Andy Murray courtside. He’s simply pulled out with an harm and who is aware of what that harm is, but he’s out supporting a 17-year-old Scot. It’s not regular. It’s nice values, nice human abilities.

“In 2016, a couple of days after profitable Wimbledon, he got here to Serbia (to be with the British Davis Cup crew, regardless that he wasn’t match to play). That’s unbelievable. He stated, ‘Wouldn’t it be OK if I come over?’. ‘Err, yeah!’. I bear in mind he’s received a ball-hopper and he’s doing the feeding to the blokes. That already offers them such a elevate. He’s right here doing that. Superb stuff.”

In the meantime, in McEnroe’s eyes, “Andy Murray modified the notion of being a British tennis participant. He had that starvation and can to win that folks hadn’t seen for a very long time.”

However as a lot as Murray has been a motivator and inspiration, the opposite British gamers additionally recognize his depraved sense of humour and love of taking the p**s out of them.

Jack Draper

Draper, the brand new British No 1 who will carry a lot of the nation’s expectations with Murray gone, stated at Wimbledon of his one-time idol: “I wouldn’t be right here with out Andy. He’s an unbelievable man off the court docket, so humorous, so real, considered one of a sort. What a competitor, what a champion. Thanks very a lot.”

He says: “It’s bizarre as a result of he was such an inspiration once I was youthful and across the Nationwide Tennis Centre.

“Watching him win Wimbledon, I used to be starstruck. As I’ve come on to the tour and he’s had his accidents and been round, it’s been nice to get to know him as an individual. He’s extremely real, an actual exhausting employee, and we’ve received to practise quite a bit and it’s been nice to be taught from him. Everybody’s on a distinct journey however his foremost message is: ‘Study from the matches, be taught from the experiences — preserve going, preserve doing the fitting issues such as you’re doing and also you’ll get to the place you need to be’.

“He’s very supportive. Not a lot in a match-by-match means, however he’ll give me a little bit of banter in messages. Or saying, ‘Congratulations, properly performed at the moment’. If I put one thing on Instagram that he’s not a fan of, he’ll let me know. He at all times goes on about my ‘stance’. The opposite day, I put up a photograph and did the stance simply to p**s him off. I hope, even after his profession, that he nonetheless has a big effect on tennis and sticks round.”

Neal Skupski

A 3-time Wimbledon champion (one in males’s doubles, two in combined), Skupski has received to know Murray from taking part in Davis Cup ties collectively over the previous few years. For Skupski, it’s Murray’s prowess in fantasy soccer that has left an enduring impression.

Skupski says: “We’re in WhatsApp teams collectively — fantasy soccer, all that stuff. He’s nice, an ideal character. One of many humorous ones on tour.

“You don’t must be an lively participant to be a part of the fantasy soccer group — his coach, Jonny O’Mara, is within the group as properly. Jonny got here final this yr, so he’s having to do a forfeit, which is taking a visit to any nation in Europe for the day. Out and in. On his personal.

“Andy gained the entire thing, like he does yearly — which he put out on social media — so he will get to decide on the place Jonny goes. Fairly humorous that Jonny’s teaching Andy and Andy will get to decide on the place he goes. He hasn’t determined the place he’s going but.

“He loves that he has the maintain over the remainder of us (the opposite 9 folks within the group). He’s fixed, he’s continuous. On the ultimate day of the season, he modified his complete crew to individuals who don’t play — reserve gamers, under-23s — as a result of he was up to now forward. That’s simply one thing Andy would do.

“There’s discuss of him sending Jonny to Bulgaria (a three-hour flight from London) for the day.”

Aidan McHugh

Murray’s legendary p**s-taking capability was as soon as defined to me by Scottish 24-year-old McHugh, who Murray mentored earlier than bringing him into his company, 77 Sports activities Administration Group: “The p**s-taking is completely something he can get his arms on. He tends to carry onto issues. He’ll convey up one thing you probably did two years in the past. He’s very on it. It’s virtually worrying.”

McHugh informed a narrative from his run to the junior Australian Open semifinals in 2018 that demonstrated this. “After dropping, I used to be gutted — like, genuinely not pleased with a extremely robust loss, and all I did was smash a plastic water bottle. I didn’t harm something. I wasn’t even within the locker room, I used to be upstairs within the health club, however my coach heard it and it received again to Andy.

“I used to be anticipating at that time that he would break and chuckle it off, however he simply stored going and didn’t say, ‘OK, I’ll allow them to realize it wasn’t you’. He’s nonetheless not spoken to me about it and gone, ‘It was a joke’. He simply leaves issues like that to try to mess with you.”

Joe Salisbury

Salisbury is one other British doubles specialist (4 Grand Slam titles in males’s, two in combined) who has teamed up with Murray within the Davis Cup, and seen his distinctive model of comedy up shut.

Salisbury says: “He has a really dry sense of humour, very sarcastic. Very humorous. For those who didn’t know him, you wouldn’t get it. He says issues fully deadpan and also you’re probably not certain if he’s joking.

“I’ve at all times received on very well with Andy. He’s an ideal man, simple to get on with. I don’t know any of the opposite prime singles guys properly, however really feel like he’s essentially the most down-to-earth and open (of them). It doesn’t matter who you might be, he’s at all times comfortable to talk, at all times very supportive.

“And I at all times loved taking part in with him — an ideal competitor who works actually exhausting. Every time I’ve performed doubles with him, he’s at all times been targeted and wished to enhance on his doubles.”

Leon Smith once more

In addition to having fun with amusing along with his team-mates, Murray can even give speeches that encourage them. On the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, he was chosen as Workforce GB’s flagbearer, a massively prestigious honour that recognised his gold (males’s singles) and silver (combined doubles) medals on the earlier Video games in London 4 years earlier. As a part of his function, Murray addressed all the opposite British Olympians current in Rio.

Smith says: “He gave an incredible speech. We had this residence block, after which an enormous garden in entrance, the place the British crew had been staying. And he’s standing up on a raised financial institution bit, chatting with all of the British Olympians, giving this speech and it’s like tugging in your heartstrings. Inspirational stuff about what it means to be a British Olympian, how everybody at house is rooting for you. ‘You’ve carried out your work, be proud that you just’re right here and know that you just’ve carried out the whole lot you may, so simply exit and provides your finest effort’.

“Easy however highly effective messaging. And since it’s coming from him, folks had been like, ‘Wow’. It was actually inspirational however understated. He’s not somebody who will get overly excited or goes overboard, however he delivered it in such a real means.”

Emma Raducanu

Murray has set requirements for British ladies in tennis to aspire to as properly.

Raducanu, the one different British winner of a singles Grand Slam title since 1977 and his chosen combined doubles companion at Wimbledon till her withdrawal, says: “I simply see him function each day. How skilled he’s, how he’s within the health club an hour and a half earlier than observe. How he goes about his factor. It’s simply good to have that affect. He units requirements and all of us like to have him round.

“It’s good to see him hitting with the opposite boys and the opposite gamers. All of them get impressed after they play with him.”

Dan Evans

Evans was the person taking part in alongside Murray within the thrilling last Olympics run, however their closeness goes means past that. Murray has been an enormous assist to his Davis Cup team-mate all through Evans’ profession, together with staying out late on a freezing Courtroom 8 to observe considered one of his qualifying matches on the 2016 Australian Open. “It’s unbelievable to come back out, it’s freezing, the prospect of getting unwell — it’s a very good effort,” Evans stated. 

Reflecting on all their a few years realizing one another, Evans says: “He’s at all times been behind each British participant, he’s by no means not taken outing to ship a textual content. When he was injured and I gained my first-ever match at Roland Garros (in 2019), he messaged me saying, ‘Nicely carried out, that’s perseverance’. He knew precisely what number of matches I hadn’t gained there and I used to be pondering, ‘You will have your personal stuff happening, in order that was fairly cool’. 

“He’s been beneficiant, useful, the whole lot to British tennis. Not simply me. He’s given everybody good recommendation. He gained the Davis Cup just about on his personal — which gave me an accolade, I assume. 

“Davis Cup, behind the scenes, simply usually a category act.”

The idol: ‘I made a listing of who I wished an image with. After all, Andy was first on the checklist’

Murray’s longevity means gamers grew up admiring him after which turned a part of the tour with him. Because the Russian ladies’s world No 12 Daria Kasatkina, places it: “It’s been unbelievable to observe him on TV after which be with him at tournaments. I really feel fortunate to have skilled that.”

Mirra Andreeva

One in every of Murray’s greatest followers is the Russian 17-year-old Andreeva, who reached the French Open semifinals in Might.

When Murray tweeted his appreciation of Andreeva throughout considered one of her matches on the Australian Open in January, she expressed how overwhelmed she was. “Truthfully, I didn’t assume that he would watch a match, then after he would tweet, he would remark one thing,” she stated. “I’ll attempt to print it out by some means. I don’t know, I’ll put it in a body. I’ll convey it in every single place with me. I’ll possibly put it on the wall, so I can see it on daily basis.”

Andreeva down 5-1 in third. Commentator “she actually must work on psychological facet of her sport.. she’s too exhausting on herself when she’s dropping”
half-hour later 7-6 Andreeva wins.
Perhaps the explanation she turned the match spherical is due to her psychological energy. Perhaps she turned the…

— Andy Murray (@andy_murray) January 19, 2024

On the French Open, she plucked up the braveness to ask Murray for an image collectively.

Andreeva says: “It was a pleasant second as a result of I had a present — a retro digital camera. I used to be like, ‘Nicely, I’ve to do a variety of photographs’. I had 25 or 30 footage that I might do. So I made a listing of who I need to take an image (with). After all, Andy was first on the checklist as a result of, I imply, we had a couple of interactions, however I don’t actually have a photograph with him. I believed, ‘Nicely, we have to repair that’.

“I noticed him a couple of occasions earlier than, however he was warming up or consuming. So I used to be like, ‘Nicely, subsequent time, subsequent time’. Then, I noticed him speaking to his crew. I used to be like, ‘Nicely, he’s busy. No, no, no’. My coach was like, ‘No, you go, you do it, and after we overlook about it’.

“She pushed me to him and, lastly, I had an image with him.”

What was higher, reaching the French Open semifinal or getting the image with Murray?

“Each are good. Each are good.”

Jordan Thompson

Thompson was Murray’s last tour singles opponent, beating him at Queen’s simply earlier than Wimbledon.

The 30-year-old Australian brutally uncovered his opponent’s impaired motion by often taking part in drop pictures — a ploy he stated he realized from watching Murray as a teen. Afterwards, he spoke about how a lot of an inspiration Murray was again then — particularly how exhausting he pushed himself.

Thompson says: “His work ethic was unbelievable once I was rising up. I simply thought he labored so exhausting to get the place he’s, and to be as bodily match as him simply on exhausting work, it was an actual inspiration.

“I’m certain he’ll be missed. After I was a child I watched him play U.S. Open finals, Wimbledon finals, that many Australian Open finals (5). It was in my house nation. I used to be going for him each time. He’s considered one of my favorite gamers.

“I received to share the court docket a couple of occasions with him. That was particular. I don’t assume many children on the earth could be watching these guys on TV and then you definitely go on the market and truly play them and share the court docket with them. Yeah, it’s each child’s dream.

“To fulfil these goals with considered one of my favorite gamers, it was an actual honour.”

The fighter for equality: ‘I do know all feminine athletes actually recognize it’

One thing that has set Murray aside has been his willingness to talk on points which can be essential to him. A kind of is gender equality, and he has often known as folks out for perceived sexism. He fiercely defended Amelie Mauresmo from misogynistic feedback when he took the bizarre step of appointing her as his coach in 2014.

“He’ll be remembered as an ideal champion and an incredible function mannequin; somebody who stood up and was vocal about world points, as a result of not many do this,” Smith says. “He’s ready to talk about essential issues and other people take heed to him. You get the sense when the gamers speak about him, not one particular person isn’t unbelievably complimentary. Individuals genuinely recognize what he’s carried out for the game and for them. He must be remembered for a lot of, many issues. An important human being, an ideal champion, an ideal ambassador for tennis and wider world points.” 

Murray’s function as an advocate for ladies’s tennis has earned him an enormous quantity of appreciation and admiration from WTA gamers.

Coco Gauff

America’s world No 2 and reigning U.S. Open champion was significantly impressed by Murray calling out a journalist for saying in 2017 that no American participant had reached the semifinals of a Grand Slam since 2009. “Male participant,” was his response.

Gauff says: “My favorite video of him is on the press convention in Wimbledon the place he says, the primary ‘male participant.’ Truthfully, it occurs quite a bit in tennis the place folks say a stat, particularly with the blokes and I’ll be like, ‘Nicely, I did it (smiling)’. It’s good after they specify.

“What he’s carried out with the ladies’s sport… him and his mom as properly have carried out quite a bit. I’d say he’s one of many first male gamers to talk up about it (gender inequality).

“On court docket, I don’t get how one can’t look as much as him, along with his scenario battling with accidents. He’s purely out right here for the enjoyment and love of the sport.

“The man performed unbelievable tennis in such a tricky period — even after, with a metallic hip, and he’s nonetheless giving it 100 per cent, which is uncommon to see, particularly if you’re later in your profession. He offers it his all, irrespective of who’s watching — within the again courts or the centre court docket.

“He doesn’t care about courts or the place he’s taking part in. He simply desires to play. A number of gamers can be taught from that.”

Different gamers share Gauff’s view about how a lot Murray has carried out for ladies’s tennis.

Naomi Osaka

The four-time Grand Slam champion says: “He’s been very vocal (about gender equality). All tennis gamers and all feminine athletes actually recognize it.

“Murray’s such an ideal man, such a tricky competitor. He loves tennis a lot and retains coming again. He’s had all these accidents. He’s relentless, his capability to maintain taking part in matches at a excessive degree.

“After I take into consideration him and the legacy that he leaves on tennis, clearly he’s carried out quite a bit for British tennis however as a child, watching him on TV taking part in these wonderful battles, he’s affected each tennis child worldwide.”

Madison Keys

Keys, America’s ladies’s world No 14, says: “It’s been wonderful (what he’s carried out for ladies’s tennis). He’s had an unbelievable profession but additionally to have among the finest male tennis gamers ever be such an advocate for ladies’s tennis and girls’s sport is wonderful.”

Daria Kasatkina

Kasatkina says: “It’s essential (Murray advocating for ladies’s tennis). He’s one of many few gamers who has carried out that. He was the primary man to have a feminine coach, that was an enormous step. Andy is such a gentleman, an incredible particular person. It’s additionally very enjoyable to observe him on court docket — his interactions along with his field.

“Andy’s particular, he’s a legend. He has carried out a lot on tour, and out of doors the court docket normally for ladies’s tennis. He’s an unbelievable man.

“We’re going to overlook him quite a bit. His British sense of humour was wonderful. Additionally, the man is such a personality on court docket and he was among the finest gamers on the earth. So I actually take pleasure in him taking part in and attempting to be taught one thing from his sport.”

Caroline Garcia

Garcia, the ladies’s world No 25 who reached a career-high rating of No 4 almost six years in the past, was famously tipped for the highest spot by Murray. That was in 2011, when Garcia was 17 and solely simply ranked on the earth’s prime 200.

The lady sharapova is taking part in goes to be primary on the earth in the future caroline garcia, what a participant u heard it right here first

— Andy Murray (@andy_murray) Might 26, 2011

Requested whether or not that well-known Murray tweet was useful, Garcia says: “Why not? It’s what it’s. I haven’t reached that degree but, most likely by no means, however it’s nice to get that form of remark from somebody who is aware of tennis. I respect no matter he says.

“He introduced quite a bit to tennis. As a participant on court docket along with his work ethic, his combating spirit, his willingness to undergo quite a bit to win Slams, and all of the expectations — particularly at Wimbledon. And the burden on his shoulders.

“But additionally an ideal particular person and human and supporting tennis normally — ladies’s tennis, and tweeting about it — which at all times made a variety of buzz and was essential. An important champion, he introduced a lot to tennis — we owe him massive time. I hope he enjoys the second a part of his life and looks like he’s retired on his phrases.”

The legacy: ‘It’ll be bizarre not having him right here’

Talking to these within the locker room, there’s a way there’ll be an enormous gap with out Murray round — particularly for many who have been on tour for the same size to his 19 years.

Jamie Murray

That gap gained’t be larger for anybody than his brother, who has been travelling round with Andy taking part in junior occasions since they had been young children. They’ve additionally shared memorable moments on the doubles court docket, most notably in Britain’s 2015 Davis Cup win.

Jamie says: “It’ll be bizarre not having him right here. It’s a fairly uncommon scenario to have your brother doing the identical job as you — particularly in a high-level sport, travelling the world collectively. That may be a good factor, even when we don’t spend a great deal of time collectively on the courts. You understand that, within the background, you’ve at all times received somebody from your loved ones — even for those who’re not accessing them on a regular basis.

“It’ll be unusual to not have him on the tour. We’ve been doing the identical factor for 20 years, so he’ll be an enormous miss.”

As for the person himself, Andy Murray says that the factor he’ll be most pleased with in his profession is displaying the identical degree of dedication day in, day trip. “I feel the factor that I did a extremely good job of throughout my profession was that, whatever the highs and lows, whether or not it was profitable tournaments, having troublesome losses, an operation, a setback, that I used to be in a position to deal with the following day the identical. I at all times got here into work with the identical dedication, work ethic, and fervour, as I had the day earlier than, whatever the highs and lows that the game had thrown at me.

“I definitely didn’t at all times get it proper. Like on the match days, I used to be not good by any stretch, however I did at all times come into work and put in a very good day. I gave my finest effort.

“Yeah, that’s what I’m pleased with. So I assume, I don’t know, it’s for different folks to determine what my legacy could be. However that’s the factor I’m most pleased with.”

No matter his legacy finally ends up being, tennis gained’t be the identical with out him.

(High photographs: Daniel Kopatsch / Getty Photos; Design: Dan Goldfarb for The Athletic)