The road ran out for Andy Murray and his old mate Dan Evans in Thursday night’s quarter-final. As of this moment, Britain’s greatest-ever tennis player is officially retired.
The Britons found themselves up against a pair of American singles players – Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul – who stand at Nos 9 and 10 in the world for ATP points gained this year.
Rounded and skilful, with a smart game plan, Fritz and Paul performed at a vastly superior level to anything we saw from the Japanese on Sunday, or the Belgians on Tuesday. From the moment when they broke Evans’s serve in the opening game, this was a clear mismatch.
Throughout the 77-minute duration, each point that Evans and Murray claimed felt like a steal. Fritz was banging his serve down at 125mph while Paul’s returns offered a mixture of ferocious power and delicate touch.
The Americans had the legendary doubles specialists Bob and Mike Bryan offering advice from their player box. They seemed to make the right decision on every shot, just as their compatriots Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek had while ousting the even more eye-catching partnership of Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz on Wednesday night.
The way things are going in this tournament, the final is likely to be an all-American doubles affair on Saturday night.
Murray’s last service game as a professional was a slightly undignified one, ending in a break to love and a double-fault.
Yet they roused themselves when all hope seemed lost, just as they had in their two previous rounds. As Paul served for what would have been a routine 6-2, 6-2 win, Murray and Evans found a new level of tennis to score their first break. It was as if Murray didn’t want the final shot of his career to be a blooper.
Evans then held for 5-4, but the Americans still had Fritz’s siege-gun serve up their sleeve. In the end, Murray finished with one last scudding backhand that flew long – but only fractionally so, so that chair umpire Renaud Lichtenstein had to over-rule the line judge by calling it out. Tears, from Murray, Evans and some in the crowd ensued.
The fans chanted “Andy, Andy” as Murray performed one last twirl of appreciation in the middle of the court. What a tournament this has been. For five years, his critics have questioned why he put himself through the agony of singles tennis with only one organic hip.
The past week has provided an answer. Even with compromised movement, even with little chance of medalling, Murray has relished the sheer adrenaline rush of his two death-defying escapes.
Even if the train hit the buffers on Thursday night, nothing can erase the memories from the two previous rounds, which both Britons will tuck away safely like a phantom medal. Celebrating their pair of Houdini-esque wins, Murray and Evans had pogoed up and down like kids at a trampoline park.
Lost in their shared delight, they forgot that they were a pair of thirty-somethings with aching bodies, and relished the childlike thrill of sport as if for the first time.
As it happens, Olympic tennis shares something significant with Murray’s post-surgical career. In both cases, the nay-sayers believe that they shouldn’t even be happening.
The people arguing that so-called “professional sports” (the likes of football, basketball and tennis) shouldn’t be included in Paris 2024 are often the same folk who attack Murray for allegedly “tarnishing his career” with this elongated farewell.
This week, though, these two often-denigrated phenomena have collided in spectacular fashion, creating a Murray finale to remember. In a curious quirk of sporting history, they have enhanced each other. One could go further, and say they have provided a justification for each other’s existence.
The arguments will go on over where Murray stands among the greatest British sportspeople of all time. What is hard to deny, however, is that he is among the most emotive.
Ever since his famous “I’m getting closer” interview with Sue Barker in 2011, Murray has always been someone who inspired strong feelings. And here, as he threw himself into Evans’s arms at the conclusion of his two victories, he enjoyed a couple of touchy-feely moments of his own.
Murray may be out of the tournament but he – like his old friend and foe Rafael Nadal – helped make it a memorable one. His series of dramatic escapes has been reminiscent of last year’s Australian Open, where he won back-to-back five-setters against Matteo Berrettini and Thanasi Kokkinakis to light up an otherwise drab first week.
That time in Melbourne, Murray eventually ran out of gas after a ridiculous 4.05am finish against Kokkinakis, and had virtually nothing left in the third round. Here, he was improving with every match. Unfortunately, so was the standard of opposition.
Happily, though, this event has been wholly free of Murray petulance. Even when he has been losing, he has kept his emotions under control in a manner that was becoming increasingly difficult in singles.
Perhaps the knowledge that he has reached his final tournament helped. Perhaps it was his friendship with Evans. Or maybe even his love of Olympic competition, which he has relished more than any other aspect of his career.
But whatever the explanation, Murray has gone out with a masterly flourish, in front of a rapt crowd in one of tennis’s most beautiful stadia. It is no less than the great man deserved.
Murray loses his final professional tennis match, as it happened
09:55 PM BST
Murray career highlights
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Finished with 46 ATP singles titles and 3 ATP doubles titles.
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Won his first Olympic singles gold medal at London 2012, defeating Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer along the way. At 2016 Rio, he became the first tennis player ever, male or female to win consecutive singles gold medals at different Games.
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At the 2012 US Open, he broke a 76-year Grand Slam singles title wait for British men, winning in five sets over Djokovic.
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In 2013 he became the first British man in 77 years (since Fred Perry in 1936) to win the men’s singles title at Wimbledon.
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He won Wimbledon again in 2016 and became the first British player male or female to win the singles more than once since Fred Perry’s hat-trick in 1936.
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In 2015, he led Great Britain to its first Davis Cup title in 79 years.
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Named BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year three times in four years (2013, 2015-16) – the only athlete ever to win three times.
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An 11-time major singles finalist.
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The youngest person to be knighted in modern times, at the age of 29 in the late Queen’s New Years Honours list for 2017.
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British No 1 for almost 12 years from July 2006-March 2018.
09:48 PM BST
Dan Evans reacts
It’s been everything I thought and more. I love team events. The chance to play doubles at his last tournament, the effort to get on the court and really give it a go in the doubles.
It’s something I’ll cherish forever.
09:44 PM BST
More reaction from Murray
Saying goodbye is always difficult but I was also ready for that also. I knew it would come in the next few days, if not today then Saturday or Sunday.
I’m happy that it is the end. Huge thanks to all the fans. The support I’ve had over the years, particularly these last few weeks at Wimbledon and also here. I appreicated that.
09:39 PM BST
Murray reacts
We did the best we could have done. Today wasn’t a good match from our side. Taylor and Tommy played well. They returned well, served well. Dan and particulary me just didn’t play very well at the beginning of the match.
We found a way at the end to make it competitive and difficult for them but it wasn’t enough.
It’s been a fun week, created some great moments in the matches, particularly at the end of all three of them.
I just wish we could have done better.
09:28 PM BST
Why Andy Murray edges out Sir Bobby Charlton as our greatest sportsperson
By Oliver Brown
In every sense, Murray blazed his own trail. Far removed from tennis’s genteel bastions in the south of England, he grew up in Dunblane, with almost every tournament at least 300 miles away. And yet, despite this outsider status, not to mention the lack of any Scottish pedigree in his chosen passion, he swept into the All England Club and ended one of the most fabled curses in British sport.
Having watched him on Centre Court on that pristine summer’s day in 2013, I cannot think of a moment that stands comparison. Seventy-seven years, near enough the span of a human life: that was the burden of history pressing down on Murray as he finally banished a nation’s gnawing inferiority complex. It seemed too oppressive a burden for one man to shoulder alone. But this walking case study in sheer bloody-mindedness would have none of it, becoming the first British man since Fred Perry in 1936 to lift Wimbledon’s golden Challenge Cup.
Click here to read Oliver’s top 10.
09:15 PM BST
Prime Minister Keir Starmer reacts
1 Davis Cup, 2 Olympic golds and 3 Grand Slams.
But more than that, thanks @andy_murray for two decades of phenomenal entertainment and sportsmanship.
A true British great.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) August 1, 2024
09:10 PM BST
Grab a tissue for this one, you’ll need it!
09:03 PM BST
BREAKING: Queen’s Club centre court to be renamed ‘The Andy Murray Arena’
The LTA have just announced that the main court at the Cinch Championships held at The Queen’s Club will be known as ‘The Andy Murray Arena’.
LTA Chief Executive, Scott Lloyd said:
Andy is the greatest tennis player ever to come from this country and a giant of British sport. His contribution to the game is immense and has bought us all so many moments of pride. He was relentless in his pursuit of excellence and had a single-minded determination to succeed.
His brilliance on court bought to an end the long wait for a British male singles winner at Wimbledon, brought home Olympic gold and silver medals and he was the driving force behind Britain’s 2015 Davis Cup success.
Anyone who ever saw him play knows he put his heart and soul into his performances on the court. His incredible work ethic and love for the sport was demonstrated by his repeated returns from injury, when many others would not have had the resolve. Perhaps equal to his on-court success was his attitude in championing equality and diversity right across the sport. He is a special role model for tennis in this country and beyond and a unique champion.
We are proud to name the arena at our tournament at the Queen’s Club after him. We are committed to delivering an infrastructure legacy working with Judy Murray on the Park of Keir project, a new tennis centre of national significance for Scotland and for its local community. We are, of course, keen to continue to work with Andy in the future, in whatever capacity he wishes – as British tennis is all the stronger for him.
08:52 PM BST
Social media reaction
Commiserations to @andy_murray and Dan Evans. They put up such a spirited performance. Thank you Andy for how you have inspired us all. Scotland could not be more proud of you and all you have given us.
— John Swinney (@JohnSwinney) August 1, 2024
I will always really like that Andy Murray got us all saying “this might be Andy Murray’s final career game” about 5 different times in his very final tournament.
So very very very Andy Murray of him.
— Scott Barclay (@BarclayCard18) August 1, 2024
He’s played in the era of Nadal Federer and Djokovic and was world no10. he’s won majors, the most special tennis match I’ve ever watched when he won Wimbledon .
Absolute legend Andy Murray and well done to Dan Evans who tried his heart out to try & make it happen for him.
— Russell Dutton 🇺🇦 (@RussellDutton) August 1, 2024
Right up to the last point of the last match, Andy Murray never gave up. He ALWAYS never gave up!! A sporting icon and the ultimate competitor – one of the greatest athletes Britain has ever seen. Thank you for everything, Andy! 🎾🇬🇧🫶🏻
— Alex Lukic (@AlexLukicUK) August 1, 2024
08:46 PM BST
‘It’s all over’
No Wimbledon-style big ceremony this time. It is a fairly low key goodbye for Murray before a two-third full stadium at Roland Garros. He spends a few minutes signing balls, looks up at the sky and exits stage left. It’s all over.
08:44 PM BST
A decorated career
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3 Grand Slam titles
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2 Olympic gold medals
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14 Masters 1000 titles
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46 ATP Tour singles titles
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A year-end No 1
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Only player with 7+ victories vs each of Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Novak Djokovic
08:41 PM BST
WATCH: The end for Britain’s greatest sportsman
Warm hugs between the players. The camera focuses on Murray. The crowd are chanting ‘Andy, Andy,’.
Murray walks out to the middle and applauds the crowd. He is in tears as he waves goodbye for the final time.
08:38 PM BST
Murray*/Evans 2-6, 4-6 Paul/Fritz
Great return by Evans and Paul can’t control the volley, 0-15. Paul overhead smash winner, 15-15.
Too good from Fritz, finding a first serve that beats Evans, 30-15. Murray backhand long, 40-15. Two match points.
Evans forehand return long. GAME SET MATCH USA!
Heartbreak for Murray.
08:36 PM BST
Murray/Evans 2-6, 4-5 Paul/Fritz*
GB just have to hold here. USA are understandably nervy. At the very least, make them win it on their serve.
Super serve down the T by Evans is unreturned, 30-15. Fritz finds the gap down the line with a backhand winner, 30-30.
Defensive Paul lob goes long, 40-30. Fritz goes after Evans’ second serve but gets it wrong, sending his forehand return wide.
A small lifeline for GB. Can they complete the comeback?!
08:30 PM BST
Murray/Evans* 2-6, 3-5 Paul/Fritz
Is this the last game for Murray as a professional tennis player, let’s find out…
Fritz overhead winner to start the game then a stretch volley winner, 30-0. Fritz forehand long, 30-15. Fritz volley into the net off a Murray backhand return, 30-30.
Defensive Evans lob goes long, match point USA. Murray is not done yet. An overhead smash winner keeps GB in the game at deuce.
What a rally. Evans and Murray are a wall at the net. USA can’t break through and Paul flicks a forehand wide. Unbelievable defence. Break point GB.
Fritz rescues USA with a ridiculous dig and Paul puts away the overhead smash, deuce. Fritz miscues a volley, second break point for GB.
Saved again by USA and Paul with a brilliant forehand winner down the line, deuce. Murray with a low, zippy slice into Paul’s backhand and the American nets, third break point.
Unreal reactions again by Fritz to meet a Murray backhand and it surprises the Briton, who nets. Fritz volley long after Murray goes right at him, fourth break point.
Murray doesn’t do enough with his backhand return, going straight at Fritz, who finishes easily. Deuce again.
Murray volley winner after great anticipation at the net, fifth break point.
Fritz overhead smash goes wide and GB break!
08:19 PM BST
Murray/Evans 2-6, 2-5 Paul*/Fritz
Murray is furious with himself after being caught in no-mans land and tamely netting a backhand, 0-30.
Too hot to handle for Murray when Fritz crushes a forehand return at him, three break points.
Murray double fault. Oh dear. USA break again and will serve for a place in the semi-finals.
08:16 PM BST
Murray*/Evans 2-6, 2-4 Paul/Fritz
Paul and Fritz have worked beautifully together tonight. No surprise really given they are being coached by doubles experts the Bryan Brothers.
But a forehand down the line by Evans is too hot for Paul and GB have a break point.
EVANS VOLLEY WINNER TO BREAK! That came out of nowhere.
Game on?!
08:11 PM BST
Murray/Evans 2-6, 1-4 Paul/Fritz*
Murray is caught flat footed and he volleys into the net, 15-30. Too much heat again on the groundstrokes by Fritz and Evans’ volley goes long, two break points.
Another scintillating return by Paul whizzes past Evans and USA wrap up the double break.
I think I can say this will be Murray’s last match as a tennis player…
08:08 PM BST
Murray/Evans* 2-6, 1-3 Paul/Fritz
Plenty of support for GB but they will need a miracle to turn things around here. USA move to 40-0 and on the brink of consolidating the break.
GB get it back to 40-30 but Evans pushes a backhand volley long and USA secure the hold.
08:04 PM BST
Murray/Evans 2-6, 1-2 Paul*/Fritz
Ominous times for GB as they fall to 0-40 when Evans nets a volley. Fritz puts a forehand return wide on the first.
Paul goes at Evans at the net, the Briton’s volley sits up nicely for Fritz to drill a forehand winner down the middle.
USA break.
08:02 PM BST
‘Curious thing about the shortened doubles format’
Curious thing about the shortened doubles format. You lose the first set, and you’re actually closer to victory than when you started. Then, you needed to win two sets. Now, you only need one set and a 10-point tie-break. Hashtag paradox.
08:00 PM BST
Murray*/Evans 2-6, 1-1 Paul/Fritz
USA continue to find their spots on serve, moving to 40-0 with ease and holding when Paul chops a volley cleanly past Evans.
07:58 PM BST
Second Set: Murray/Evans 2-6, 1-0 Paul/Fritz*
Murray and Evans need to get ahead here to put some scoreboard pressure on the Americans. They just haven’t been allowed to play and everything is going USA’s way.
Evans has play on a Fritz return but opts to leave it and sadly for him the ball drops in, 15-15. But some quality first serves by Evans are unreturned and Team GB hold to start the set.
The crowd are desperate for GB to get going.
07:54 PM BST
‘Americans have had a lot of joy chipping their returns high’
Speaking of tactics, the Americans have had a lot of joy chipping their returns high and slow over the net player, and thus forcing the server to hit a high backhand volley on their way into the net.
It’s a difficult shot to put away when both your opponents are at the back of the court.
07:53 PM BST
Murray/Evans* 2-6 Paul/Fritz
Serving for the set, Paul finds a ridiculous angle with a cross court forehand which beats Evans for a winner.
Frustration for Murray as he goes long with another return, 30-0. At his peak, he is not missing so many returns.
Top spin second serve into Murray’s backhand and the former world No 1 sends the ball wide. Murray changes his racket. Two set points.
Fritz volley winner and USA complete a very clinical set of tennis. Work to do for GB to turn this around.
07:48 PM BST
Murray/Evans 2-5 Paul*/Fritz
Probably too little too late in terms of this set but GB hold to love here to make USA serve for it next.
07:47 PM BST
Murray*/Evans 1-5 Paul/Fritz
First double fault of the match by Fritz, 40-15. Then a forehand volley into the net. Is the door opening slightly for GB?
No. Murray misses another return and USA hold.
07:46 PM BST
‘We could have four Americans in the doubles final’
Evans holds. A shame for the British pair that we couldn’t say that at the start of the match, and had to wait for the whole first cycle of games to be completed. The Americans have got the Bryan brothers – doubles legends of the 2010s – in their player box, offering guidance. Earlier today, Paul said this was the first time he had ever gone into a doubles event with tactics.
Bear in mind that the Bryans also helped oversee the exit of Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz last night, via a phenomenal showing from the other American pairing: doubles specialists Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek. At this rate, we could have four Americans in the doubles final, which would be very odd!
07:42 PM BST
Murray/Evans 1-4 Paul/Fritz*
USA threaten another break as they take Team GB to 30-30 here. They are relaxed and playing with great clarity.
But a couple of very important first serves by Evans are unreturned and GB get up and running with their first game of the match.
07:39 PM BST
Murray/Evans* 0-4 Paul/Fritz
The first set is quickly getting away from Team GB here. Fritz and Paul have been very solid in the opening stages.
Fritz stretches up high to execute a backhand overhead smash winner, 40-30. But Fritz is caught out at the net and volleys long, deuce.
Murray forehand return into the net and USA continue their momentum.
07:33 PM BST
Murray/Evans 0-3 Paul*/Fritz
Low hanging fruit second serve by Murray and it is punished by Paul with a blistering forehand return winner down the line, break point.
Brilliant backhand return by Fritz, Murray does well to pick it up, Fritz hits a dipping backhand cross court and Murray can’t make the awkward volley.
USA break again.
07:30 PM BST
‘It’s going to take something really special’
Quite the hike in standard from the opposition tonight. Nishikori was past his best on Sunday and the Belgian duo seemed to suffer a complete failure of nerve on Tuesday. These two Americans are both exceptional players, and very complete players too. It’s going to take something really special to get past them.
07:29 PM BST
Murray*/Evans 0-2 Paul/Fritz
Fritz and Paul are two of the better servers on the ATP Tour so Murray and Evans have their work cut on the returns. Murray forehand return into the net, 40-15.
Evans chips a return but the ball is easily volleyed away by Paul for a winner to consolidate the break.
07:25 PM BST
First Set: Andy Murray/Dan Evans 0-1 Tommy Paul/Taylor Fritz* (*denotes next server)
Murray doesn’t get hold of a volley, hitting it at Paul, who reacts sharply to punch a volley into the open space, 30-30.
Evans pushes a volley long, break point USA. Evans serve and volleys, but the ball sitting up nicely for Fritz to hit a forehand winner.
USA breaks.
07:21 PM BST
Here we go!
The players are on the court and warming up. A reminder that the USA are the third seeds in the tournament so they can’t be underestimated.
Will tonight be as dramatic as the previous two matches? Let’s find out!
07:18 PM BST
‘The headline act in a regular cabaret’
Another late-evening outing for Murray and Evans on Court Suzanne Lenglen, where they almost feel like the headline act in a regular cabaret. Each time, the crowd thins out as we move towards sunset, and they end up playing in front of a half empty stadium.
But the Brits continue to turn out in force, and we can be confident of plenty of noise and atmosphere during this showdown with two talented Americans.
07:07 PM BST
‘Hopefully we can retire him’
Fighting talk from Tommy Paul earlier today. I hope Murray has seen this and feels extra motivated tonight.
Should be a fun match. I think it’s Andy’s last event. Hopefully we can retire him, that would be pretty cool. But they’ve been saving match points left and right.
We’ve got to take care of the first match point because if they get that one…
06:58 PM BST
All over on Suzanne Lenglen
Auger-Aliassime comes through for Canada, beating Norway’s Ruud 6-4, 6-7, 6-3.
He will now face Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-finals. But next up… it is Murray and Evans.
06:47 PM BST
When are Murray and Evans due on court?
The doubles matches will take place after the men’s singles clash between Casper Ruud and Felix Auger-Aliassime.
After Ruud won a second set tie-break to force a third set decider, Auger-Aliassime leads 5-2 for Canada.
06:32 PM BST
Murray’s farewell tour
Hello and welcome to coverage of what could be Andy Murray’s last match as a tennis player.
Alongside Dan Evans, the Team GB duo have been forced to save seven match points on their way to the quarter-finals.
Victory tonight against America’s Tommy Paul and Taylor Fritz would guarantee a medal match for Murray and Evans.
After beating Belgian pair Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen, Murray said he cried happy tears as he sat on his chair with head in hands after the match.
“Obviously it’s unbelievably emotional,” said Murray, who is playing in his final event. “You’re obviously unbelievably happy and then, I don’t know why it happens, it’s like happy tears. I was really emotional at the end of the match.
“Obviously extremely happy, excited that we managed to get through and another amazing finish so it takes a lot out of you that sort of stuff. I’m glad we get a day off tomorrow.”
“I don’t think he (Murray) wants to go home does he?” Evans joked later.
“He’s amazing to play with. It’s an amazing atmosphere. To be a part of this is amazing regardless of what’s happening and I’m over the moon.”
Fritz and Paul are side by side in the world singles rankings at 12 and 13th in the world but Murray says belief is growing that they can produce something special.
“We know we need to perform at a really high level to go through but you build confidence by winning matches [saving match points],” said Murray, who won singles golds in 2012 and 2016 but pulled out of the singles this time.
“I think your opponents see that you’re coming back when you’re behind and that builds belief. But you can’t have that mentality of like, this is just going to happen. We need to be switched on for the next one and let’s see what happens.”
Source Agencies
