Close friends and family of Andy Murray, including his mother Judy and partner Kim Sears, have paid their respects to the British tennis legend after he played the final match of his remarkable career on Thursday afternoon.
The three-time Grand Slam champion appeared visibly emotional after he and Dan Evans were eliminated from the men’s doubles at the Paris Olympics on Thursday evening, losing to Americans Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul.
At 37, Murray, who has faced numerous injuries this year, announced his decision to retire following the 2024 Games.
Key figures who have significantly influenced his career have shared personal stories about him, with his wife, Sears, recalling watching him for the first time at the 2005 US Open when Murray ended up being sick on the court.
‘I first saw him play live that summer, and his opening match was against Andre Pavel,’ Sears recounted in an interview with the Lawn Tennis Association published on YouTube, remembering his hard-fought three-set win over the Romanian.
Andy Murray’s (pictured) illustrious tennis career concluded on Thursday night in Paris
Numerous family members and friends have been honoring Murray, including his wife Kim Sears (pictured)
Sears, daughter of tennis coach Nigel Sears, first met Murray in 2005, tying the knot in 2015 in his hometown of Dunblane.
‘It was a five-set thriller, and he [Murray] ended up projectile vomiting right in front of me during that match – which was quite the interesting start,’ she added.
‘I can’t believe I stuck around after that!’
Sears continued: ‘The following February, we went to San Jose together, where he won his first title. I was doing my A-levels, so we were both around 18. It felt like it was just the two of us against the world at that moment.’
Murray has firmly established himself as one of the greatest British tennis players ever, picking up the sport at age three and amassing 46 ATP Tour titles, including the US Open men’s singles title in 2012 and Wimbledon championships in 2013 and 2016.
Murray (right) and Dan Evans (left) experienced a defeat against Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul at the Paris Olympics
Sears revealed that Murray (pictured) vomited on the court during her first time watching him in 2005
Sears (pictured) has been a consistent source of support for her husband throughout his career
The couple married in Scotland in 2015, having first met in 2005, shortly before Sears (right) went to watch Murray (left) at the 2005 US Open
Murray’s mother, Judy, humorously ‘credited’ Nadal for motivating her son to excel in the sport, sharing a memory of when they played racket ball together during a tournament in Spain when he was 16.
‘When he went off to Andorra to compete for Great Britain in the under-16 European Team Championships, Judy recalled.
‘Rafa [Rafael Nadal] was representing Spain, and the two played racket ball after their match.
‘Andy called me shortly after that game of racket ball, saying: “Could you please cover an international call from Andorra?”
‘Naturally, I was worried he had lost his passport and wallet because most boys hardly call home.’
‘So I asked, “What’s wrong? What happened?”
‘He excitedly recounted playing racket ball with Rafa. He said, “He doesn’t go to school. He trains at a tennis academy.”
‘”He gets to train in the sunshine. Meanwhile, what do I have? You, my brother, at the university.”
‘So I completely blame Rafa for this!’ she said with a smile.
Nadal and Murray faced each other 24 times in their professional careers, with Nadal winning 17 matches.
His mother, Judy (pictured), humorously blamed Rafael Nadal for his son’s achievements over the years, recalling their childhood racket ball game
Nadal (left) and Murray (right) enjoyed a racket ball game during a junior tournament in Spain
Nadal commented on Murray’s retirement, stating to The Athletic: “We’ve known each other since we were young kids. He’s a year younger than me. When we were competing with our teams—Spain and Great Britain—he was always on the younger team. We’ve grown up together on the tour, even though he joined a little after I did.
“Andy had an extraordinary career. I think in some ways… I don’t like to say he deserves more or less, because at the end of the day, I wouldn’t say I deserve more just because I’ve faced injuries. He had many finals and was an incredible player who competed during a tough era against Novak, Roger, and myself.
