Last night, an emotional Andy Murray expressed gratitude for “going out on my own terms” after the curtain came down on his magnificent nineteen-year-long tennis career, before joking that he “never even liked tennis anyway”.
Britain’s greatest-ever tennis player set numerous records during arguably the most competitive era in men’s tennis, including winning three Grand Slam singles titles, two Olympic Gold medals, leading his country to Davis Cup success and achieving the world No 1 ranking.
However, it was Murray’s grit and determination that truly won over the hearts and minds of spectators worldwide, as evidenced by his unmatched record of winning the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award three times.
As we await to see what Murray has next in store, Telegraph readers recount their most memorable Murray moments.
‘An absolute giant of a man’
“Watching him grow up and become mature and stronger was mesmerising,” starts Reader Penny Eames. “He became so exciting to watch that sitting down through a whole match was impossible. Many times, I found myself hiding behind the sofa!”
Glenys Adkinson remembers watching Murray’s first Wimbledon win in 2013. She recalls: “We could not believe how dominant he was and kept pinching ourselves whilst hiding behind the sofa – our normal position for Murray’s matches!
“What an absolute giant of a man, going on to retain his Olympic gold in an epic and utterly exhausting final. So many wonderful memories never to be repeated in my lifetime.”
Reader Claire Gabriel has closely followed every moment of Murray’s career and feels privileged to have shared it all. However, for her, one moment was particularly unforgettable: “When I heard that he had won the championship in 2016 I jumped up and down on my heels so excitedly that I fell over and broke my ankle! Hey ho, the pain was definitely worth it. There will not be a similar player from GB for generations I’m sure.”
‘Murray’s amazing career maintained a connection with my grandad’
Several Telegraph readers shared how Murray’s career helped create lasting memories with loved ones.
One reader, Richard Lang, recounted how Murray helped him maintain a special connection with his late grandfather: “When Murray reached round three of Wimbledon in 2005, I talked about his emergence with my grandad, who was also Scottish with the surname Murray. He rated Murray as having a great chance of finally being a serious British contender in the tennis Grand Slams.
“Though my grandad died in 2006, Murray’s amazing career kept a connection alive with my grandad. I can’t think of any other British sportsman or woman who is still active in their sport who I would have discussed with my grandad. Murray prolonging his career until now really did extend great memories for me of times spent with a departed loved one.”
For Steve Tannock, Murray’s career has been a rollercoaster of emotional highs and lows. He recalls a poignant memory with his daughter while he was driving from Durham to Kent: “On Friday, 3rd July 2009, while I was driving with my daughter, we listened to Murray’s semi-final against Andy Roddick. We stopped at a service area but stayed in the car to listen to the fourth-set tiebreak, where Murray was trailing two sets to one. Murray lost the set and missed out on his first Wimbledon final.
“After a brief moment, we got out of the car and noticed, at the same time, that almost all of the parked cars were doing the same. They, like us, had been captivated by the then-young British prodigy, feeling with him the agony of carrying on his shoulders the weight of British tennis redemption.
“I think we all knew then that he was going to be something special for us – but I don’t think anyone knew how special.”
‘He revolutionised British tennis’
Throughout his career, Murray produced many moments of magic that captivated viewers, all while competing against some of the all-time greats.
Charles Henry said: “The British public rode the waves of emotion, from the heartbreak of multiple finals to the joy of three grand slam wins, two Olympic golds and that Davis Cup win with that lob.
“In any other era, Murray would have accumulated many more slams, but the fact he formed the fourth member of the ‘Big Four’ is enough to show how much of a legend he is.
“He has revolutionised British tennis and will be remembered rightly in the conversation of British sporting legends. A great player and more importantly, a great human being, whose dry humour will never be forgotten and neither will his desire and heart on the court. Farewell Sir Andy!”
Similarly, Peter Dicker recalls the 2015 Davis Cup match. He said: “That lob that won the Davis Cup. I still get a lump in my throat and a tear in the eye every time I see it.”
Len Findlay also remembers him for his behaviour off the court: “One week after winning Wimbledon, he went back to London to say goodbye and present gifts to the retiring locker room attendant. Classy player. Classy man.”
‘His joy and emotion became ours’
The two-time Wimbledon champions’s desire to never give up won the hearts of many Telegraph readers.
Sue King said: “There were times when it seemed things weren’t going his way, but deep down, we always believed he could turn it around. Watching those thrilling, roller-coaster matches, shouting at the TV and experiencing the sheer happiness when he triumphed against the odds. His joy and emotion became ours.”
Likewise, Barry Smith said: “He is probably the most determined and gritty sportsman I’ve ever seen. I was lucky enough to be at the Australian Open Final in 2013 when he played Djokovic, won the first set and so nearly won the second. It was a great match.”
Christine Gill-Brain will remember Murray as a player who “made us dream” with his determination, gut and talent.
She said: “I would stay up all night to watch him play. Winning the American Open was just amazing and beating Novak in a tough match was a highlight for me. But winning his two gold medals, especially with Del-Potro was just wonderful. I have so many memories and he is someone I will always worship. We will not see another player like him again.”
Source Agencies
