2024-08-02 12:40:02
As tennis says farewell to Andy Murray after a thrilling final event at the Olympics, The Athletic has spoken to almost 30 players, coaches and other luminaries to understand what the three-time Grand Slam champion, double Olympic champion and legend of British tennis means to the sport.
From those closest to him, such as his brother, Jamie, and Great Britain Davis Cup captain Leon Smith, to rivals including Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, and WTA players Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka, who have admired his fight for gender equality, the 27 people below have broken down the different elements of Murray’s game and personality, having seen him up close throughout his life and career. Murray himself also explains what he is most proud of from his 19-year career on the ATP Tour.
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Fifty Shades of Andy Murray
The Hall of Famer: ‘He was a monster – it was a “Big Four” for sure’
First and foremost, Murray was a world-class player. One of his rivals, Stan Wawrinka, said recently that it was a ‘Big Four’ rather than a ‘Big Three’, with Murray meriting a place in that group with Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, because of his incredible consistency. That’s why Wawrinka — a three-time Grand Slam winner, same as Murray, but nothing like as efficient in reaching major finals or winning other titles — puts the Scotsman in a different category from himself.
Pretty much all of the players who faced Murray agree.
Rafael Nadal
One of Murray’s Big Four rivals during that era was Nadal, the 22-time Grand Slam champion. The pair played each other 24 times, with Nadal leading the head-to-head 17-7, which included two wins for Murray on clay.
Nadal says: “We know each other since we were small kids. He’s one year younger. When we were playing by teams — Spain, Great Britain — he was on the team one year younger. We know each other very well. We grow together on the tour, even when he arrived a little bit later than me.
“Andy had an amazing career. I think in some way… I mean, I don’t like to say he deserves more or less because, at the end, if I say I deserve more if I don’t have injuries, no? No, I don’t, because I had the injuries, no? He had a lot of finals. He was an amazing player who probably played in a difficult moment because he shared the tour at the prime time of Novak, Roger and myself.
Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal after the latter’s triumph during the fourth round of the 2007 Australian Open (Richard A Brooks / Getty Images)
“He was the one that was at the same level as us in general terms. In terms of victories, he achieved less but in terms of level of tennis, of having, mentally, the winning spirit week after week, he was the only one that was very close to being at the same level as us.”
David Goffin
Goffin’s game matched up terribly to Murray’s and he lost all eight of their meetings. The Belgian, once ranked No 7 in the world, was also the fall guy for one of Murray’s most famous wins — the one that secured Great Britain the Davis Cup in 2015. The final point, which Murray won with a trademark lob, was evidence of his exceptional court craft and shotmaking ability.
Goffin is also in no doubt that Murray deserved his place in the Big Four group.
Goffin says: “He killed me all the time. It’s amazing what Andy did for the sport. I played him many times, and I always felt that he was too good. It’s insane what he did, especially with the other three big guys playing with him.
“He was part of the Big Four. He was world No 1. He won Grand Slams. He won so many Masters 1000s (14 in total). He was just a monster, a legend.”
Stan Wawrinka
Wawrinka, a longtime friend and rival says: “It’s been more than 20 years (that we’ve known each other). There are many memories. It was special to play here against him at home (at Wimbledon in 2009). He’s been an amazing champion. He pushed everybody. He’s been an example for many players.
“And he’s a great guy. We’re good friends. We arrived a little bit at the same times. We spent so many times together — on the court, in practice court, we practise tons of times together. We always had a good relationship.”
John McEnroe
McEnroe never shared a court with Murray, but the seven-time Grand Slam singles champion is unequivocal on the Scot’s status within the game.
“He’s one of the greatest the sport has ever seen,” McEnroe says. “He left no stone unturned to be the best he could be. Until he got hurt, it was the Big Four, it wasn’t the Big Three. He finished 2016 as the No 1 player, ahead of those guys — that’s quite an achievement.
“He won three Slams, reached 11 Grand Slam finals. First-ballot Hall of Famer. Incredible career, especially considering the players he was up against. Murray has the respect of everyone in the tennis world — ultimately, that’s all you can ask for.”
McEnroe has recently called for Wimbledon to add a statue of Murray (Clive Brunskill / Getty Images)
The competitor: ‘Even in doubles, he was getting fired up for every point’
Djokovic and Murray were born within a week of each other, and after facing each other many times as juniors, shared 36 matches on the ATP Tour, including seven Grand Slam finals (two of which Murray won). Of his many attributes, Djokovic picks out his resilience and dedication.
Novak Djokovic
Djokovic says: “Just incredible resilience throughout all his career. Multiple Grand Slam winner. Legend of the game. No 1 in the world. Going to play challenger circuit to build his rankings on clay, his least favourite surface, says a lot about his character.
“Just huge inspiration to all the players. Doesn’t mind getting out on the court for hours every day. Incredible professional. His approach is something to study, no doubt.
“His will to push and see how far he can go, even with an artificial hip, is something that is just inspiring but also serves as a great example I think to a lot of the athletes, younger ones, that start to complain about this and that.
“So he has left a great mark on and off the court, no doubt, for the tennis. But something tells me, again, that he will keep going.”
Murray and Djokovic played doubles together as juniors (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Sebastian Korda
Murray’s fighting spirit is legendary, and it enabled him to produce so many amazing comebacks. We think of this mainly in the context of big Grand Slam singles matches with lots at stake. But even on the doubles court, towards the end of his career, in his mid-30s and with a metal replacement left hip, he was still scrapping for every ball.
Earlier this year, American world No 21 Korda asked Murray if he fancied playing doubles with him. They joined forces in Miami in March, beating Tallon Griekspoor and Julian Cash in the first round before an ankle injury ruled Murray out of the event.
Korda, 24, grew up watching Murray and could not believe how invested his partner was in that match.
Korda says: “He’s an unbelievable person. He’s the biggest competitor out there. Even in our doubles match, he was getting fired up for every point. It was just awesome to see. And to see the legend that he is, and the way he carries himself on court. It’s just a massive inspiration.”
Grigor Dimitrov
The former Wimbledon semi-finalist and current world No 10 Dimitrov, says it’s Murray’s mentality that has always stood out to him.
Dimitrov says: “We’ve always got on well and been close. You can learn a lot from him — on different aspects, like the way his mentality has been and what he’s been able to achieve. He always tries to come back and fight through — that’s pretty amazing.”
The tactician: ‘Aged 11, he kept drop-shotting this guy because he knew he couldn’t beat him for power’
One of Murray’s biggest assets was his tactical nous. He knew he didn’t possess some of the overwhelming shotmaking the other Big Four players did. He figured out how to use his smarts and court craft, which had always been a big part of his game growing up — Murray was on the shorter side until he was about 15, and went through a sudden growth spurt.
Leon Smith
Smith knows Murray as well as just about anyone. He would become his Davis Cup captain for 13 years, but he first saw Murray as a four-year-old, playing short tennis. His mother, Judy, who was in charge of tennis in Scotland, would bring him along to junior tournaments Smith was playing in.
A few years later, Judy asked Smith, in his twenties and starting out as a coach, if he could act as a hitting partner for her son, who was then about 11. The pair got on well, and Smith took on an informal mentoring role and started taking the kid to tournaments — including the prestigious Orange Bowl event in Miami for top youngsters in 1999.
Andy Murray, 12, en route to winning the Under-14 National Junior Championships in Nottingham (Craig Prentis / Getty Images)
Murray won the event in the 12-and-under category and Smith got a first glimpse into how tactically clued-up he already was.
Smith says: “When you put him on a match court, the guy just lit up. He wouldn’t want to lose. That final of the Orange Bowl, I remember him drop-shotting the guy (Tomas Piskacek from the Czech Republic) so many times. He kept drop-shot-and-lobbing him. This guy was much bigger than him — Andy wasn’t that big, he was more average to small size. And he kept drop-shotting this guy because he knew he couldn’t beat him for power, and I just remember so many drop-shot-and-lob combinations.”
Beating more powerful players with his guile and know-how later became Murray’s calling card on the ATP Tour.
Cameron Norrie
British No 2 Norrie grew up watching Murray and, since turning pro and joining his compatriot on the British Davis Cup team, has soaked up as much information from him as possible.
He says: “I ask him a thousand questions. If I needed help with anything, I was always asking and calling him, and he was always there to help me, and I got on really well with him in Davis Cup.”
One of Norrie’s takeaways from all those conversations is that Murray will make a top coach one day — a view many others share.
Cameron Norrie has found Murray’s advice indispensable (Glyn Kirk / AFP via Getty Images)
Norrie says: “He’s a good guy to spend time around, and his tennis knowledge is unbelievable. He remembers all the details. It’s great to be around that level of professionalism. Getting the chance to play against him is always tough and really good.
“If you ask him about any player, he’ll give you the details on everything: where they like to hit their forehand and typically like to serve and how they move, their little tendencies and what they do. He’s watching a lot of tennis, not just practising. He knows how they play and he’ll be a good coach.”
The locker-room legend: ‘A really respectful guy and a cool dude’
As well as his exceptional achievements on the court, Murray will leave a legacy as a hugely popular figure within tennis off it. He was loved in the dressing room for his wry sense of humour and support for other players.
Dominic Thiem
Thiem had quite a bit in common with Murray. Both found their path to Grand Slam titles constantly blocked by the Big Three (Thiem lost three Grand Slam finals to Big Three players; Murray lost eight — five to Djokovic, three to Federer). Both were ultimately struck down by injuries.
Thiem hopes that, one day, they can have a beer or two together and swap war stories.
He says: “I admire him and I like him — as an athlete and a person. He was one of the people texting me when I got injured, when I was on my way back, and also now. After my farewell in Roland Garros (this year), he sent me a really nice message, which he didn’t need to do. He just said it was amazing to see how I got my farewell and how emotional it was. This gave me a lot of joy because he’s had his issues as well — although way worse.
Murray in action during a defeat to Thiem in Barcelona in 2019 (Alex Caparros / Getty Images)
“That’s the other thing about him — to do what he has done with a metal hip is simply amazing. He deserved way more. The Big Three were in the way for him. But then, the way he was fighting back with the metal hip and still playing, it’s admirable. He’s a big role model for every player.
“We only spoke every now and then for a few minutes in the locker room, which is nice of course but is not enough. It would be really interesting, with him and the other guys, to have a really deep conversation, and maybe one day I’m going to come to Wimbledon and meet with him and talk about this stuff.
“Yeah (over a beer or two), loosen up.”
Carlos Alcaraz
Reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion Alcaraz is a player Murray loves watching. He has been vocal in supporting the young Spaniard, right from the start of his career.
Alcaraz has huge respect for Murray, who had another message for him when the pair hit together at the pre-Wimbledon tournament at Queen’s in London last week.
Alcaraz says: “Every time I talk to him, I was really focused. Every word I’m hearing from him, it is amazing. I hear a lot of good things. He spoke to me on Twitter, on Instagram. He watched a lot of my matches. For me, these things are amazing.
“When I practised with him (at Queen’s), he congratulated me about the French Open, that it was amazing stuff. Hearing these words from him, it was amazing. He’s a legend. I have huge respect for him, everything he’s done in sport. He has beaten the Big Three many, many times in their prime level. It is something amazing.
“His legacy in tennis and in sport is going to be forever.”
Tomas Machac
One of Murray’s final matches was against Machac, in Miami in March this year. Murray played on after rupturing ankle ligaments but wished his opponent well at the end of a three-set defeat.
Machac, 23, says: “It was a tough match, but when we shook hands he was super, like a legend. During the match, he tried everything to beat me but then at the end, he was very nice — he said, ‘Well played, good luck for the tournament’.
“He’s a legend of the sport and a special person and player, so he’ll be missed a lot.”
Gael Monfils
At the other end of his career from Alcaraz and Machac is 37-year-old Monfils, Murray’s one-time rival at junior level. The pair have been playing each other for more than 25 years and in 2004, won all of the junior Grand Slams between them (Monfils the first three, Murray the U.S. Open).
Monfils and Murray battling at the 2006 French Open. (Eric Feferberg / AFP via Getty Images)
Monfils says: “It’s crazy because I played Andy the first time when I was 11 and he was 10. Everybody’s different — we have a different purpose et cetera. I’m a big fan of Andy. His achievements, his career, the guy he is. He is a really respectful guy and a cool dude. A legend of the sport.
“I try to learn from him. What he’s done is crazy good.”
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The British flagbearer (and p**s-taker): ‘Inspirational but understated’
Murray’s compatriots will perhaps miss him the most. He has been a huge source of support to them. “He’s given a lot of time to people — younger guys, practising with them when they weren’t established, offering them advice if they asked for it,” says Smith, who has seen up close in his role as Davis Cup captain how influential Murray has been.
“A day after what happened here (the injury at Queen’s against 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 just pulled out with an injury and who knows what that injury is, yet he’s out supporting a 17-year-old Scot. It’s not normal. It’s great values, great human skills.
“In 2016, a few days after winning Wimbledon, he came to Serbia (to be with the British Davis Cup team, even though he wasn’t fit to play). That’s unbelievable. He said, ‘Would it be OK if I come over?’. ‘Err, yeah!’. I remember he’s got a ball-hopper and he’s doing the feeding to the guys. That already gives them such a lift. He’s here doing that. Amazing stuff.”
Meanwhile, in McEnroe’s eyes, “Andy Murray changed the perception of being a British tennis player. He had that hunger and will to win that people hadn’t seen for a long time.”
Murray’s always dry but surprisingly jovial humour has won over tennis fans. (John Walton / PA Images via Getty Images)
But as much as Murray has been a motivator and inspiration, the other British players also appreciate his wicked sense of humour and love of taking the p**s out of them.
Jack Draper
Draper, the new British No 1 who will carry much of the nation’s expectations with Murray gone, said at Wimbledon of his one-time idol: “I wouldn’t be here without Andy. He’s an incredible guy off the court, so funny, so genuine, one of a kind. What a competitor, what a champion. Thank you very much.”
He says: “It’s weird because he was such an inspiration when I was younger and around the National Tennis Centre.
“Watching him win Wimbledon, I was starstruck. As I’ve come on to the tour and he’s had his injuries and been around, it’s been great to get to know him as a person. He’s incredibly genuine, a real hard worker, and we’ve got to practise a lot and it’s been great to learn from him. Everyone’s on a different journey but his main message is: ‘Learn from the matches, learn from the experiences — keep going, keep doing the right things like you’re doing and you’ll get to the place you want to be’.
“He’s very supportive. Not so much in a match-by-match way, but he will give me a bit of banter in messages. Or saying, ‘Congratulations, well played today’. If I put something on Instagram that he’s not a fan of, he’ll let me know. He always goes on about my ‘stance’. The other day, I put up a photo and did the stance just to p**s him off. I hope, even after his career, that he still has a big impact on tennis and sticks around.”
Neal Skupski
A three-time Wimbledon champion (one in men’s doubles, two in mixed), Skupski has got to know Murray from playing Davis Cup ties together over the past few years. For Skupski, it’s Murray’s prowess in fantasy football that has left a lasting impression.
Skupski says: “We’re in WhatsApp groups together — fantasy football, all that stuff. He’s great, a great character. One of the funny ones on tour.
“You don’t have to be an active player to be part of the fantasy football group — his coach, Jonny O’Mara, is in the group as well. Jonny came last this year, so he’s having to do a forfeit, which is taking a trip to any country in Europe for the day. In and out. On his own.
“Andy won the whole thing, like he does every year — which he put out on social media — so he gets to choose where Jonny goes. Quite funny that Jonny’s coaching Andy and Andy gets to choose where he goes. He hasn’t decided where he’s going yet.
“He loves that he has the hold over the rest of us (the other nine people in the group). He’s constant, he’s non-stop. On the final day of the season, he changed his whole team to people who don’t play — reserve players, under-23s — because he was so far ahead. That’s just something Andy would do.
“There’s talk of him sending Jonny to Bulgaria (a three-hour flight from London) for the day.”
Aidan McHugh
Murray’s legendary p**s-taking ability was once explained to me by Scottish 24-year-old McHugh, who Murray mentored before bringing him into his agency, 77 Sports Management Group: “The p**s-taking is absolutely anything he can get his hands on. He tends to hold onto things. He’ll bring up something you did two years ago. He’s very on it. It’s almost worrying.”
McHugh told a story from his run to the junior Australian Open semifinals in 2018 that demonstrated this. “After losing, I was gutted — like, genuinely not happy with a really tough loss, and all I did was smash a plastic water bottle. I didn’t damage anything. I wasn’t even in the locker room, I was upstairs in the gym, but my coach heard it and it got back to Andy.
Murray and McHugh in good spirits at Wimbledon in 2017 (Bill Murray / SNS Group via Getty Images)
“When I came back to the UK, Andy and I were chatting and he completely made up that, because of me, 77 had got a big bill through for damages to the players’ locker room! I felt terrible but was like, ‘I have no idea what you’re talking about’.
“I was expecting at that point that he would break and laugh it off, but he just kept going and didn’t say, ‘OK, I’ll let them know it wasn’t you’. He’s still not spoken to me about it and gone, ‘It was a joke’. He just leaves things like that to try and mess with you.”
Joe Salisbury
Salisbury is another British doubles specialist (four Grand Slam titles in men’s, two in mixed) who has teamed up with Murray in the Davis Cup, and seen his unique brand of comedy up close.
Salisbury says: “He has a very dry sense of humour, very sarcastic. Very funny. If you didn’t know him, you wouldn’t get it. He says things completely deadpan and you’re not really sure if he’s joking.
“I’ve always got on really well with Andy. He’s a great guy, easy to get on with. I don’t know any of the other top singles guys well, but feel like he’s the most down-to-earth and open (of them). It doesn’t matter who you are, he’s always happy to chat, always very supportive.
“And I always enjoyed playing with him — a great competitor who works really hard. Whenever I’ve played doubles with him, he’s always been focused and wanted to improve on his doubles.”
Leon Smith again
As well as enjoying a laugh with his team-mates, Murray can also give speeches that inspire them. At the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, he was chosen as Team GB’s flagbearer, a hugely prestigious honour that recognised his gold (men’s singles) and silver (mixed doubles) medals at the previous Games in London four years earlier. As part of his role, Murray addressed all the other British Olympians present in Rio.
Smith says: “He gave an amazing speech. We had this apartment block, and then a big lawn in front, where the British team were staying. And he’s standing up on a raised bank bit, speaking to all the British Olympians, giving this speech and it’s like tugging on your heartstrings. Inspirational stuff about what it means to be a British Olympian, how everyone at home is rooting for you. ‘You’ve done your work, be proud that you’re here and know that you’ve done everything you can, so just go out and give your best effort’.
“Simple but powerful messaging. And because it’s coming from him, people were like, ‘Wow’. It was really inspirational but understated. He’s not someone who gets overly excited or goes overboard, but he delivered it in such a genuine way.”
Emma Raducanu
Murray has set standards for British women in tennis to aspire to as well.
Raducanu, the only other British winner of a singles Grand Slam title since 1977 and his chosen mixed doubles partner at Wimbledon until her withdrawal, says: “I just see him operate day to day. How professional he is, how he’s in the gym an hour and a half before practice. How he goes about his thing. It’s just nice to have that influence. He sets standards and all of us love to have him around.
“It’s nice to see him hitting with the other boys and the other players. They all get inspired when they play with him.”
Dan Evans
Evans was the man playing alongside Murray in the thrilling final Olympics run, but their closeness goes way beyond that. Murray has been a big support to his Davis Cup team-mate throughout Evans’ career, including staying out late on a freezing Court 8 to watch one of his qualifying matches at the 2016 Australian Open. “It’s unbelievable to come out, it’s freezing, the chance of getting ill — it’s a good effort,” Evans said.
Reflecting on all their many years knowing each other, Evans says: “He’s always been behind every British player, he’s never not taken time out to send a text. When he was injured and I won my first-ever match at Roland Garros (in 2019), he messaged me saying, ‘Well done, that’s perseverance’. He knew exactly how many matches I hadn’t won there and I was thinking, ‘You have your own stuff going on, so that was pretty cool’.
“He’s been generous, helpful, everything to British tennis. Not just me. He’s given everyone good advice. He won the Davis Cup pretty much on his own — which gave me an accolade, I guess.
“Davis Cup, behind the scenes, just generally a class act.”
The idol: ‘I made a list of who I wanted a picture with. Of course, Andy was first on the list’
Murray’s longevity means players grew up admiring him and then became part of the tour with him. As the Russian women’s world No 12 Daria Kasatkina, puts it: “It’s been incredible to watch him on TV and then be with him at tournaments. I feel lucky to have experienced that.”
Mirra Andreeva
One of Murray’s biggest fans is the Russian 17-year-old Andreeva, who reached the French Open semifinals in May.
When Murray tweeted his appreciation of Andreeva during one of her matches at the Australian Open in January, she expressed how overwhelmed she was. “Honestly, I didn’t think that he would watch a match, then after he would tweet, he would comment something,” she said. “I will try to print it out somehow. I don’t know, I will put it in a frame. I will bring it everywhere with me. I will maybe put it on the wall, so I can see it every day.”
Andreeva down 5-1 in third. Commentator “she really needs to work on mental side of her game.. she’s too hard on herself when she’s losing”
30 minutes later 7-6 Andreeva wins.
Maybe the reason she turned the match round is because of her mental strength. Maybe she turned the…— Andy Murray (@andy_murray) January 19, 2024
At the French Open, she plucked up the courage to ask Murray for a picture together.
Andreeva says: “It was a nice moment because I had a gift — a retro camera. I was like, ‘Well, I have to do a lot of photos’. I had 25 or 30 pictures that I could do. So I made a list of who I want to take a picture (with). Of course, Andy was first on the list because, I mean, we had a few interactions, but I don’t even have a photo with him. I thought, ‘Well, we need to fix that’.
“I saw him a few times before, but he was warming up or eating. So I was like, ‘Well, next time, next time’. Then, I saw him talking to his team. I was like, ‘Well, he’s busy. No, no, no’. My coach was like, ‘No, you go, you do it, and after we forget about it’.
“She pushed me to him and, finally, I had a picture with him.”
What was better, reaching the French Open semifinal or getting the picture with Murray?
“Both are good. Both are good.”
Jordan Thompson
Thompson was Murray’s final tour singles opponent, beating him at Queen’s just before Wimbledon.
The 30-year-old Australian brutally exposed his opponent’s impaired movement by frequently playing drop shots — a ploy he said he learned from watching Murray as a youngster. Afterwards, he spoke about how much of an inspiration Murray was back then — especially how hard he pushed himself.
Thompson says: “His work ethic was unbelievable when I was growing up. I just thought he worked so hard to get where he is, and to be as physically fit as him just on hard work, it was a real inspiration.
Murray walks out of Queen’s behind Thompson after retiring from their match last week. (Clive Brunskill / Getty Images)
“I’m sure he’ll be missed. When I was a kid I watched him play U.S. Open finals, Wimbledon finals, that many Australian Open finals (five). It was in my home country. I was going for him every time. He’s one of my favourite players.
“I got to share the court a few times with him. That was special. I don’t think many kids in the world would be watching these guys on TV and then you go out there and actually play them and share the court with them. Yeah, it’s every kid’s dream.
“To fulfil those dreams with one of my favourite players, it was a real honour.”
The fighter for equality: ‘I know all female athletes really appreciate it’
Something that has set Murray apart has been his willingness to speak on issues that are important to him. One of those is gender equality, and he has frequently called people out for perceived sexism. He fiercely defended Amelie Mauresmo from misogynistic comments when he took the unusual step of appointing her as his coach in 2014.
“He’ll be remembered as a great champion and an amazing role model; someone who stood up and was vocal about global issues, because not many do that,” Smith says. “He’s prepared to speak about important things and people listen to him. You get the sense when the players talk about him, not one person isn’t unbelievably complimentary. People genuinely appreciate what he’s done for the sport and for them. He should be remembered for many, many things. A great human being, a great champion, a great ambassador for tennis and wider world issues.”
Murray’s role as an advocate for women’s tennis has earned him a huge amount of appreciation and admiration from WTA players.
Coco Gauff
America’s world No 2 and reigning U.S. Open champion was particularly impressed by Murray calling out a journalist for saying in 2017 that no American player had reached the semifinals of a Grand Slam since 2009. “Male player,” was his response.
Gauff says: “My favourite video of him is at the press conference in Wimbledon where he says, the first ‘male player.’ Honestly, it happens a lot in tennis where people say a stat, especially with the guys and I’ll be like, ‘Well, I did it (smiling)’. It’s good when they specify.
“What he’s done with the women’s game… him and his mother as well have done a lot. I would say he’s one of the first male players to speak up about it (gender inequality).
“On court, I don’t get how you can’t look up to him, with his situation battling with injuries. He’s purely out here for the joy and love of the game.
“The guy played incredible tennis in such a tough era — even after, with a metal hip, and he’s still giving it 100 per cent, which is rare to see, especially when you’re later in your career. He gives it his all, no matter who’s watching — in the back courts or the centre court.
“He doesn’t care about courts or where he’s playing. He just wants to play. A lot of players can learn from that.”
Other players share Gauff’s view about how much Murray has done for women’s tennis.
Naomi Osaka
The four-time Grand Slam champion says: “He’s been very vocal (about gender equality). All tennis players and all female athletes really appreciate it.
“Murray’s such a great guy, such a tough competitor. He loves tennis so much and keeps coming back. He’s had all these injuries. He’s relentless, his ability to keep playing matches at a high level.
“When I think about him and the legacy that he leaves on tennis, obviously he’s done a lot for British tennis but as a kid, watching him on TV playing these amazing battles, he’s affected every tennis kid worldwide.”
Andy Murray approaching Roger Federer after his Wimbledon final defeat in 2012. (Julian Finney / Getty Images)
Madison Keys
Keys, America’s women’s world No 14, says: “It’s been amazing (what he’s done for women’s tennis). He’s had an incredible career but also to have one of the best male tennis players ever be such an advocate for women’s tennis and women’s sport is amazing.”
Daria Kasatkina
Kasatkina says: “It’s very important (Murray advocating for women’s tennis). He’s one of the few players who has done that. He was the first guy to have a female coach, that was a huge step. Andy is such a gentleman, an amazing person. It’s also very fun to watch him on court — his interactions with his box.
“Andy’s special, he’s a legend. He has done so much on tour, and outside the court in general for women’s tennis. He’s an incredible guy.
“We’re going to miss him a lot. His British sense of humour was amazing. Also, the guy is such a character on court and he was one of the best players in the world. So I really enjoy him playing and trying to learn something from his game.”
Murray and Mauresmo at Queen’s in 2014. (Jan Kreuger / Getty Images)
Caroline Garcia
Garcia, the women’s world No 25 who reached a career-high ranking of No 4 nearly six years ago, was famously tipped for the top spot by Murray. That was in 2011, when Garcia was 17 and only just ranked in the world’s top 200.
The girl sharapova is playing is going to be number one in the world one day caroline garcia, what a player u heard it here first
— Andy Murray (@andy_murray) May 26, 2011
Asked whether that famous Murray tweet was helpful, Garcia says: “Why not? It is what it is. I haven’t reached that level yet, probably never, but it is great to get that kind of comment from someone who knows tennis. I respect whatever he says.
“He brought a lot to tennis. As a player on court with his work ethic, his fighting spirit, his willingness to go through a lot to win Slams, and all the expectations — especially at Wimbledon. And the weight on his shoulders.
“But also a great person and human and supporting tennis in general — women’s tennis, and tweeting about it — which always made a lot of buzz and was very important. A great champion, he brought so much to tennis — we owe him big time. I hope he enjoys the second part of his life and feels like he’s retired on his terms.”
The legacy: ‘It’ll be weird not having him here’
Speaking to those in the locker room, there’s a sense there’ll be a huge hole without Murray around — especially for those who have been on tour for a similar length to his 19 years.
Jamie Murray
That hole won’t be bigger for anyone than his brother, who has been travelling around with Andy playing junior events since they were small children. They’ve also shared memorable moments on the doubles court, most notably in Britain’s 2015 Davis Cup win.
The Murray brothers in 2005, at the start of their tour careers. (Julian Finney / Getty Images)
Jamie says: “It’ll be weird not having him here. It’s a pretty unusual situation to have your brother doing the same job as you — especially in a high-level sport, travelling the world together. That is a nice thing, even if we don’t spend loads of time together on the courts. You know that, in the background, you’ve always got someone from your family — even if you’re not accessing them all the time.
“It’ll be strange not to have him on the tour. We’ve been doing the same thing for 20 years, so he’ll be a big miss.”
As for the man himself, Andy Murray says that the thing he’ll be most proud of in his career is showing the same level of dedication day in, day out. “I think the thing that I did a really good job of during my career was that, regardless of the highs and lows, whether it was winning tournaments, having difficult losses, an operation, a setback, that I was able to treat the next day the same. I always came into work with the same dedication, work ethic, and passion, as I had the day before, regardless of the highs and lows that the sport had thrown at me.
“I certainly didn’t always get it right. Like on the match days, I was not perfect by any stretch, but I did always come into work and put in a good day. I gave my best effort.
“Yeah, that’s what I’m proud of. So I guess, I don’t know, it’s for other people to decide what my legacy would be. But that’s the thing I’m most proud of.”
Whatever his legacy ends up being, tennis won’t be the same without him.
(Top photos: Daniel Kopatsch / Getty Images; Design: Dan Goldfarb for The Athletic)
