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

As tennis says farewell to Andy Murray after an exhilarating last occasion on the Olympics, The Athletic has spoken to nearly 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, resembling 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 battle for gender equality, the 27 individuals under have damaged down the totally different components 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 “Massive 4” for positive’

At the beginning, Murray was a world-class participant. One in all his rivals, Stan Wawrinka, mentioned just lately that it was a ‘Massive 4’ moderately than a ‘Massive 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, identical as Murray, however nothing like as environment friendly in reaching main finals or profitable different titles — places the Scotsman in a unique class from himself.

Just about the entire gamers who confronted Murray agree.

Rafael Nadal

One in all Murray’s Massive 4 rivals throughout that period was Nadal, the 22-time Grand Slam champion. The pair performed one another 24 instances, 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 have been small youngsters. He’s one 12 months youthful. Once we have been enjoying by groups — Spain, Nice Britain — he was on the crew one 12 months youthful. We all know one another very nicely. We develop collectively on the tour, even when he arrived slightly bit later than me.

“Andy had a tremendous profession. I believe indirectly… I imply, I don’t prefer to say he deserves roughly 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 lots of finals. He was a tremendous participant who in all probability performed in a tough 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 identical stage as us usually phrases. By way of victories, he achieved much less however by way of stage of tennis, of getting, mentally, the profitable spirit week after week, he was the one one which was very near being on the identical stage 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 this planet, was additionally the autumn man for certainly one of Murray’s most well-known wins — the one which secured Nice Britain the Davis Cup in 2015. The ultimate level, which Murray received 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 Massive 4 group.

Goffin says: “He killed me on a regular basis. It’s superb what Andy did for the game. I performed him many instances, and I all the time felt that he was too good. It’s insane what he did, particularly with the opposite three huge guys enjoying with him.

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

Stan Wawrinka

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

“And he’s a terrific man. We’re good pals. We arrived slightly bit on the identical instances. We spent so many instances collectively — on the court docket, in apply court docket, we practise tons of instances collectively. We all the time 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 best the game has ever seen,” McEnroe says. “He left no stone unturned to be the most effective he might be. Till he bought harm, it was the Massive 4, it wasn’t the Massive Three. He completed 2016 because the No 1 participant, forward of these guys — that’s fairly an achievement. 

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

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

Djokovic and Murray have been born inside per week of one another, and after dealing with one another many instances as juniors, shared 36 matches on the ATP Tour, together with seven Grand Slam finals (two of which Murray received). 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 this planet. Going to play challenger circuit to construct his rankings on clay, his least favorite floor, says quite a bit about his character.

“Simply large inspiration to all of the gamers. Doesn’t thoughts getting out on the court docket for hours every single day. 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 synthetic hip, is one thing that’s simply inspiring but additionally serves as a terrific instance I believe to lots of the athletes, youthful ones, that begin to complain about this and that.

“So he has left a terrific 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 superb comebacks. We consider this primarily within the context of huge Grand Slam singles matches with heaps at stake. However even on the doubles court docket, in direction of the tip of his profession, in his mid-30s and with a steel alternative left hip, he was nonetheless scrapping for each ball.

Earlier this 12 months, American world No 21 Korda requested Murray if he fancied enjoying doubles with him. They joined forces in Miami in March, beating Tallon Griekspoor and Julian Money within the first spherical earlier than an ankle damage dominated Murray out of the occasion.

Korda, 24, grew up watching Murray and couldn’t consider how invested his accomplice 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 way in which he carries himself on court docket. It’s only a large inspiration.”

Grigor Dimitrov

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

Dimitrov says: “We’ve all the time bought on nicely and been shut. You possibly can study quite a bit from him — on totally different facets, like the way in which his mentality has been and what he’s been capable of obtain. He all the time tries to come back again and battle via — that’s fairly superb.”

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

One in all Murray’s largest belongings was his tactical nous. He knew he didn’t possess among the overwhelming shotmaking the opposite Massive 4 gamers did. He found out the best way to use his smarts and court docket craft, which had all the time been an enormous a part of his sport rising up — Murray was on the shorter aspect till he was about 15, and went via a sudden progress spurt.

Leon Smith

Smith is aware of Murray in addition to nearly anybody. He would change into his Davis Cup captain for 13 years, however he first noticed Murray as a four-year-old, enjoying brief tennis. His mom, Judy, who was answerable for tennis in Scotland, would carry him alongside to junior tournaments Smith was enjoying in.

Just a few years later, Judy requested Smith, in his twenties and beginning out as a coach, if he may act as a hitting accomplice for her son, who was then about 11. The pair bought on nicely, and Smith took on a casual mentoring function and began taking the child to tournaments — together with the distinguished Orange Bowl occasion in Miami for high kids in 1999.

Murray received the occasion within the 12-and-under class and Smith bought 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 instances. He saved drop-shot-and-lobbing him. This man was a lot greater than him — Andy wasn’t that huge, he was extra common to small measurement. And he saved 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 mixtures.”

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 doable.

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

One in all Norrie’s takeaways from all these conversations is that Murray will make a high coach at some point — a view many others share.

Norrie says: “He’s a very good man to spend time round, and his tennis data is unbelievable. He remembers all the small print. It’s nice to be round that stage of professionalism. Getting the possibility to play in opposition to him is all the time robust and actually good. 

“In case you ask him about any participant, he’ll provide the particulars on the whole lot: the place they prefer to hit their forehand and sometimes prefer to serve and the way they transfer, their little tendencies and what they do. He’s watching lots 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 go away a legacy as a massively fashionable determine inside tennis off it. He was beloved within the dressing room for his wry sense of humour and help for different gamers.

Dominic Thiem

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

Thiem hopes that, at some point, they’ll have a beer or two collectively and swap warfare tales.

He says: “I love him and I like him — as an athlete and an individual. He was one of many individuals texting me once I bought injured, once I was on my means again, and likewise now. After my farewell in Roland Garros (this 12 months), he despatched me a very nice message, which he didn’t have to do. He simply mentioned it was superb to see how I bought my farewell and the way emotional it was. This gave me lots of pleasure as a result of he’s had his points as nicely — though means worse.

“That’s the opposite factor about him — to do what he has accomplished with a steel hip is just superb. He deserved far more. The Massive Three have been in the way in which for him. However then, the way in which he was combating again with the steel hip and nonetheless enjoying, it’s admirable. He’s an enormous function mannequin for each participant.

“We solely spoke every so often for a couple of minutes within the locker room, which is good after all however isn’t sufficient. It could be actually attention-grabbing, with him and the opposite guys, to have a very deep dialog, and possibly at some point 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 large respect for Murray, who had one other message for him when the pair hit collectively on the pre-Wimbledon event 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 superb. I hear lots of good issues. He spoke to me on Twitter, on Instagram. He watched lots of my matches. For me, this stuff are superb.

“After I practised with him (at Queen’s), he congratulated me in regards to the French Open, that it was superb stuff. Listening to these phrases from him, it was superb. He’s a legend. I’ve large respect for him, the whole lot he’s accomplished in sport. He has overwhelmed the Massive Three many, many instances of their prime stage. It’s one thing superb.

“His legacy in tennis and in sport goes to be perpetually.”

Tomas Machac

One in all Murray’s last matches was in opposition to Machac, in Miami in March this 12 months. Murray performed on after rupturing ankle ligaments however wished his opponent nicely on the finish of a three-set defeat.

Machac, 23, says: “It was a tricky match, however once we shook fingers 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 mentioned, ‘Nicely performed, good luck for the event’.

“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 stage. The pair have been enjoying one another for greater than 25 years and in 2004, received the entire 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 unique objective et cetera. I’m an enormous fan of Andy. His achievements, his profession, the man he’s. He’s a very respectful man and a cool dude. A legend of the game.

“I attempt to study from him. What he’s accomplished is loopy good.”

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

Murray’s compatriots will maybe miss him probably the most. He has been an enormous supply of help to them. “He’s given lots of time to individuals — 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 damage at Queen’s in opposition to 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 damage and who is aware of what that damage is, but he’s out supporting a 17-year-old Scot. It’s not regular. It’s nice values, nice human expertise.

“In 2016, just a few days after profitable Wimbledon, he got here to Serbia (to be with the British Davis Cup crew, though he wasn’t match to play). That’s unbelievable. He mentioned, ‘Wouldn’t it be OK if I come over?’. ‘Err, yeah!’. I bear in mind he’s bought a ball-hopper and he’s doing the feeding to the fellows. That already provides 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, mentioned 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, certainly one of a form. 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 arduous employee, and we’ve bought to practise quite a bit and it’s been nice to study from him. Everybody’s on a unique journey however his foremost message is: ‘Study from the matches, study from the experiences — preserve going, preserve doing the appropriate 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, nicely performed at the moment’. If I put one thing on Instagram that he’s not a fan of, he’ll let me know. He all the time 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 huge impact on tennis and sticks round.”

Neal Skupski

A 3-time Wimbledon champion (one in males’s doubles, two in blended), Skupski has bought to know Murray from enjoying Davis Cup ties collectively over the previous few years. For Skupski, it’s Murray’s prowess in fantasy soccer that has left a long-lasting impression.

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

“You don’t should be an energetic participant to be a part of the fantasy soccer group — his coach, Jonny O’Mara, is within the group as nicely. Jonny got here final this 12 months, 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 received 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 individuals within the group). He’s fixed, he’s continuous. On the ultimate day of the season, he modified his entire crew to individuals who don’t play — reserve gamers, under-23s — as a result of he was to date 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 totally something he can get his fingers on. He tends to carry onto issues. He’ll carry up one thing you probably did two years in the past. He’s very on it. It’s nearly worrying.”

McHugh advised 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 very robust loss, and all I did was smash a plastic water bottle. I didn’t injury something. I wasn’t even within the locker room, I used to be upstairs within the gymnasium, however my coach heard it and it bought again to Andy.

“I used to be anticipating at that time that he would break and snigger it off, however he simply saved going and didn’t say, ‘OK, I’ll allow them to comprehend 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 attempt to mess with you.”

Joe Salisbury

Salisbury is one other British doubles specialist (4 Grand Slam titles in males’s, two in blended) 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. In case you didn’t know him, you wouldn’t get it. He says issues fully deadpan and also you’re probably not positive if he’s joking.

“I’ve all the time bought on very well with Andy. He’s a terrific man, straightforward to get on with. I don’t know any of the opposite high singles guys nicely, however really feel like he’s probably the most down-to-earth and open (of them). It doesn’t matter who you might be, he’s all the time pleased to talk, all the time very supportive.

“And I all the time loved enjoying with him — a terrific competitor who works actually arduous. At any time when I’ve performed doubles with him, he’s all the time 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 also can give speeches that encourage them. On the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, he was chosen as Group GB’s flagbearer, a massively prestigious honour that recognised his gold (males’s singles) and silver (blended 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 a tremendous speech. We had this condominium block, after which an enormous garden in entrance, the place the British crew have been staying. And he’s standing up on a raised financial institution bit, talking to 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 accomplished your work, be proud that you just’re right here and know that you just’ve accomplished the whole lot you possibly can, so simply exit and provides your greatest effort’.

“Easy however highly effective messaging. And since it’s coming from him, individuals have 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 nicely.

Raducanu, the one different British winner of a singles Grand Slam title since 1977 and his chosen blended doubles accomplice at Wimbledon till her withdrawal, says: “I simply see him function daily. How skilled he’s, how he’s within the gymnasium an hour and a half earlier than apply. 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 enjoying alongside Murray within the thrilling last Olympics run, however their closeness goes means past that. Murray has been an enormous help to his Davis Cup team-mate all through Evans’ profession, together with staying out late on a freezing Courtroom 8 to observe certainly one of his qualifying matches on the 2016 Australian Open. “It’s unbelievable to come back out, it’s freezing, the possibility of getting unwell — it’s a very good effort,” Evans mentioned. 

Reflecting on all their a few years understanding one another, Evans says: “He’s all the time been behind each British participant, he’s by no means not taken day trip to ship a textual content. When he was injured and I received my first-ever match at Roland Garros (in 2019), he messaged me saying, ‘Nicely accomplished, that’s perseverance’. He knew precisely what number of matches I hadn’t received there and I used to be considering, ‘You’ve got your individual stuff occurring, 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 received the Davis Cup just about on his personal — which gave me an accolade, I suppose. 

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

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

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 all Murray’s largest followers is the Russian 17-year-old Andreeva, who reached the French Open semifinals in Might.

When Murray tweeted his appreciation of Andreeva throughout certainly one of her matches on the Australian Open in January, she expressed how overwhelmed she was. “Actually, I didn’t assume that he would watch a match, then after he would tweet, he would remark one thing,” she mentioned. “I’ll attempt to print it out in some way. I don’t know, I’ll put it in a body. I’ll carry it in all places with me. I’ll possibly put it on the wall, so I can see it every single day.”

Andreeva down 5-1 in third. Commentator “she actually must work on psychological aspect of her sport.. she’s too arduous 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 lots of pictures’. I had 25 or 30 photos that I may do. So I made a listing of who I need to take an image (with). After all, Andy was first on the record as a result of, I imply, we had just a few interactions, however I don’t actually have a photograph with him. I believed, ‘Nicely, we have to repair that’.

“I noticed him just a few instances 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 neglect 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 ceaselessly enjoying drop photographs — a ploy he mentioned he discovered from watching Murray as a teenager. Afterwards, he spoke about how a lot of an inspiration Murray was again then — particularly how arduous he pushed himself.

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

“I’m positive 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 certainly one of my favorite gamers.

“I bought to share the court docket just a few instances with him. That was particular. I don’t assume many youngsters on this planet can 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 desires with certainly 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 are essential to him. A type of is gender equality, and he has ceaselessly referred to as individuals 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 a terrific champion and a tremendous function mannequin; somebody who stood up and was vocal about international points, as a result of not many do this,” Smith says. “He’s ready to talk about essential issues and folks take heed to him. You get the sense when the gamers speak about him, not one particular person isn’t unbelievably complimentary. Folks genuinely recognize what he’s accomplished for the game and for them. He ought to be remembered for a lot of, many issues. An awesome human being, a terrific champion, a terrific ambassador for tennis and wider world points.” 

Murray’s function as an advocate for girls’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 notably 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.’ Actually, it occurs quite a bit in tennis the place individuals say a stat, particularly with the fellows and I’ll be like, ‘Nicely, I did it (smiling)’. It’s good after they specify.

“What he’s accomplished with the ladies’s sport… him and his mom as nicely have accomplished quite a bit. I might 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 state of affairs 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 steel hip, and he’s nonetheless giving it 100 per cent, which is uncommon to see, particularly once you’re later in your profession. He provides 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 enjoying. He simply desires to play. A variety of gamers can study from that.”

Different gamers share Gauff’s view about how a lot Murray has accomplished for girls’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 a terrific 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 enjoying matches at a excessive stage.

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

Madison Keys

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

Daria Kasatkina

Kasatkina says: “It’s crucial (Murray advocating for girls’s tennis). He’s one of many few gamers who has accomplished that. He was the primary man to have a feminine coach, that was an enormous step. Andy is such a gentleman, a tremendous 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 accomplished a lot on tour, and out of doors the court docket usually for girls’s tennis. He’s an unbelievable man.

“We’re going to overlook him quite a bit. His British sense of humour was superb. Additionally, the man is such a personality on court docket and he was among the finest gamers on this planet. So I actually take pleasure in him enjoying and attempting to study 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 this planet’s high 200.

The woman sharapova is enjoying goes to be primary on this planet at some point 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 stage but, in all probability by no means, however it’s nice to get that type 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 load on his shoulders.

“But additionally a terrific particular person and human and supporting tennis usually — ladies’s tennis, and tweeting about it — which all the time made lots of buzz and was crucial. An awesome champion, he introduced a lot to tennis — we owe him huge time. I hope he enjoys the second a part of his life and seems like he’s retired on his phrases.”

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

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

Jamie Murray

That gap received’t be greater for anybody than his brother, who has been travelling round with Andy enjoying junior occasions since they have 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 state of affairs 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 already know that, within the background, you’ve all the time bought somebody from your loved ones — even in case you’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 exhibiting the identical stage of dedication day in, time out. “I believe the factor that I did a very good job of throughout my profession was that, whatever the highs and lows, whether or not it was profitable tournaments, having tough losses, an operation, a setback, that I used to be capable of deal with the subsequent day the identical. I all the time got here into work with the identical dedication, work ethic, and keenness, as I had the day earlier than, whatever the highs and lows that the game had thrown at me.

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

“Yeah, that’s what I’m pleased with. So I suppose, I don’t know, it’s for different individuals to resolve what my legacy can be. However that’s the factor I’m most pleased with.”

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

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