Sir Andy Murray retires: Tributes paid to an inspirational champion

Three-time Grand Slam champion Sir Andy – undoubtedly one of Scotland’s greatest ever sportspeople - has hung up his racket after nearly 20 years of extraordinary success.

The 37-year-old brought the curtain down on his career after competing for Team GB in a fifth Olympic Games, reaching the quarter-finals in men's doubles event in Paris alongside Dan Evans.

Commenting on the news, Tennis Scotland Chief Executive Blane Dodds said: “Sir Andy Murray has given the whole country so many incredible memories and everyone involved in the tennis community in Scotland wishes him the very best in the next chapter of his life.

“It was great – but not surprising – to see his trademark fighting spirit on show once again at the Olympics, leaving all his fans around the world with a lasting reminder of his immense talent and will to win.

“There’s no doubt that Sir Andy has inspired a generation with his excellence on court, extraordinary work ethic and resolve during difficult moments, and his achievements are undoubtedly a big part of the reason more people are playing tennis in Scotland and that club membership numbers are at a record high.

“His successes have motivated many people to get involved in helping to grow and develop tennis in Scotland, whether that’s within Tennis Scotland or as a coach, official, volunteer or young player.

“Having the highest ever number of Scots compete at Wimbledon last year was a significant moment and undoubtedly influenced by Sir Andy’s performances and achievements.

“Whatever Sir Andy decides to do next, we will continue to seek opportunities to work with him to help further develop tennis in Scotland.”

Watch our video tribute to Andy Murray

Sir Andy’s retirement brings an end to an extraordinary 19-year professional career in which he won Wimbledon twice, the US Open, two Olympic Gold medals, the Davis Cup with Great Britain, the ATP Tour Finals, and became the world number one.

Latterly, he continued to perform at the highest level even after undergoing hip-resurfacing surgery in 2019 – becoming the first professional tennis player to resume a singles career following the procedure.

Destined for greatness

Andy first made waves as a young child competing at Dunblane Tennis Club and was involved in performance programmes delivered by Tennis Scotland – where his mother Judy Murray was National Coach and future GB Davis Cup captain Leon Smith was a coach – until he was a teenager.

The young Andy trained at the University in Stirling regularly, practising with students and featuring in national squads alongside players including his brother Jamie and Colin Fleming.

After winning the coveted junior event Orange Bowl twice in the 12U and 14U categories, Andy moved to Barcelona to train at the Sánchez-Casal Academy before catching the eye of the wider public by winning the US Open Boys’ Singles in 2004. A year later, a thrilling run to the third round at Wimbledon aged just 18 ensured he very quickly became a household name.

Journey to the top of the world

Andy was soon representing Great Britain in the Davis Cup and rose quickly up the world rankings, claiming the first of 46 ATP Tour titles in San Jose in 2006.

After going close in a number of Grand Slam finals, he lifted his first major title at the US Open in 2012, beating Novak Djokovic in five sets, before sending the whole country into raptures when he won his first Wimbledon title in 2013 – again beating his old friend Djokovic on a hot and sticky Sunday afternoon.

By then, Andy was already the holder of two Olympic medals; taking Gold in the singles at the All England Club during London 2012 as well as Silver alongside Laura Robson for GB in the mixed doubles.

Arise, Sir Andy

After some time out with a back injury, Andy soon returned to full strength and lifted his second Wimbledon title in 2016, before completing an amazing year with a second Olympic singles Gold, becoming world number one and lifting the ATP Tour Finals title. Topping it all off, he was then knighted in Queen Elizabeth II’s New Year’s Honours.

A long spell out with injury then followed, Sir Andy undergoing two major hip surgeries, the second of which left him with a metal joint. Somehow, not even that could keep the great champion down and, in his first tournament with the new hip, he won the doubles event at Queen’s Club in 2019 alongside Feliciano Lopez.

A few months later, he was in the winner’s circle again, winning the singles title at the ATP European Open in Antwerp, Belgium. That victory propelled Sir Andy to a full-time return to the tour and over the next five years he continued to inspire, producing stellar performances and competing at the highest level, leaving Scots everywhere and his millions of fans around the world with incredible memories.

'Impact can't be measured'

Also paying tribute was sportscotland Chief Executive, Forbes Dunlop, who said: “Sir Andy Murray’s impact on Scottish sport can’t be measured. His dedication, performances and achievements mean he will rightly go down in history as one of Scotland’s greatest ever athletes. I’d like to congratulate Andy on an incredible career and wish him the very best in his retirement.

“I am confident that tennis in Scotland is in a good place to make the most of the inspiration Andy has given to so many over the years.

“Active Schools continues to deliver thousands of free tennis sessions every year in schools across the country. Work continues to improve access to tennis courts for future generations, we have supported many new and existing tennis facilities over the last 10 years through our Sports Facilities Fund.

“Significant investment from the Transforming Scottish Indoor Tennis Fund has led to the opening of the Oriam Indoor Tennis Centre in December and the opening of four indoor courts at Moray Sports Centre in July.

“We will continue to work with Tennis Scotland, the LTA and other partners to ensure Scottish tennis has a bright future.”

First Minister John Swinney said: “Sir Andy Murray is Scotland’s greatest ever sportsman, and his achievements during one of the toughest eras in tennis history will mark him down as a true sporting legend.

“The whole of Scotland is so proud of Sir Andy and while we are disappointed that we will no longer get to see him compete with his trademark fighting spirit, we thank him for the incredible memories he gave us over so many years and wish him the very best for his well-earned retirement.”