Rinky Hijikata and John Peers won their first round doubles match with a score of 7-6(8-6), 6-4 in a historic event where a doubles match was played on center court for the first time in 29 years. However, it was not the winners who were interviewed but rather Andy Murray, 37, who took the stage and was interviewed by Sue Barker, the 1976 French Open winner.
After the match, Murray was shown highlights from his career on a big screen, including his three Grand Slam titles, two of which were at Wimbledon in 2013 and 2016. He also received personal messages from tennis legends such as Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Serena Williams.
“It was a race against time, but I am happy that we could do this one last time together,” Murray said with his family in the stands and his brother Jamie sitting on a chair by the court.
“People saw how much I cared”
Djokovic, who is just a week younger than Murray, joined him on the court and hugged him, along with John McEnroe, Martina Navratilova, and Iga Swiatek, who were all there to honor the Scotsman. Murray is playing mixed doubles with Emma Raducanu at Wimbledon in what is his farewell year from tennis following a recent back operation.
“I’m not the most outgoing or extroverted person, but I think people probably saw how much I cared about the sport for the first time maybe,” Murray said, reflecting on his loss to Roger Federer in the 2012 Wimbledon final.
