Kyle Edmund led the tributes to his “biggest role model” after Andy Murray announced his intention to retire. The world of tennis was quick to pay tribute to Murray following his emotional announcement.
At a tearful press conference ahead of the Australian Open, the Scot laid bare the effects of the pain in his right hip that has dogged him for more than 18 months.
Murray is hoping to able to go out on home soil at Wimbledon in the summer but conceded Monday’s match against Roberto Bautista Agut in the first round in Melbourne could be his last.
Andy, just watched your conference. Please don’t stop trying. Keep fighting. I can imagine your pain and sadness. I hope you can overcome this. You deserve to retire on your own terms, whenever that happens. We love you @andy_murray and we want to see you happy and doing well. ?
— Juan M. del Potro (@delpotrojuan) January 11, 2019
Murray has played a mentoring role with a number of British players but none more significant than Edmund, who overtook him as the country’s leading player after reaching the semi-finals here 12 months ago.
Edmund said: “For me he’s been my biggest role model out of any tennis player. He’s Britain’s greatest tennis player ever and you could say maybe Britain’s best sportsman ever.
.@andy_murray You are a champion on and off the court. So sorry you cannot retire on your own terms, but remember to look to the future. Your greatest impact on the world may be yet to come. Your voice for equality will inspire future generations. Much love to you & your family. https://t.co/AQUOP3LGec
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) January 11, 2019
“To be able to have had the experiences that I’ve had with him and memories in terms of training with him and getting to know him personally and seeing what he’s done on the court and achieved, he’s definitely helped my career.
“It’s obviously not nice to read that he’s going to be retiring at some point but, at the same time, it’s a nice way to reflect his career, knowing that he’s going to be done, and seeing what he’s achieved. It’s been amazing.”
If this is true, I tip my cap to @andy_murray ! Absolute legend. Short list of best tacticians in history. Unreal results in a brutal era …… Nothing but respect here. I hope he can finish strong and healthy https://t.co/FZbwmvRC2r
— andyroddick (@andyroddick) January 11, 2019
The prevailing feeling among British tennis players was one of sadness, with Johanna Konta saying: “I can’t imagine the sport without him to be honest. He has just been there all the time.”
Murray’s support for women and the women’s game was also appreciated by British number one Konta, who said: “There have been so many examples of when he has stood up for us – not just for women’s tennis but women in general.
My thoughts are with @andy_murray and I really hope we continue to see you fighting on court so you can retire on your own terms. Get well soon… Tennis is better with you. pic.twitter.com/0z1401hKXe
— Kevin Anderson (@KAndersonATP) January 11, 2019
“He has also been blessed with two daughters and I think he’s grown up with a really strong female role model with his mum and now his wife is also a strong character so he is surrounded by great, strong women.
“He has put that through in the way he has voiced his opinions and the way he has tackled some questions and issues that have arisen and I think everybody has always been very appreciative of him.”
My heart breaks listening to @andy_murray during his press conference… Hope he will make it through to Wimbledon and have the farewell he deserves . #greatguy
— Kim Clijsters (@Clijsterskim) January 11, 2019
Murray’s former coach Darren Cahill posted on Twitter: “When you search for examples of ’emptied the bucket to be as good as they could be’ there should be a picture of Andy Murray sitting under that quote.
“Remarkable discipline for training, competition, sacrifice, perfection, a little crazy but a legend of a bloke. Bravo Andy.”
When you search for examples of “emptied the bucket to be as good as they could be” there should be a picture of Andy Murray sitting under that quote. Remarkable discipline for training, competition, sacrifice, perfection, a little crazy ? but a legend of a bloke. Bravo Andy ?
— Darren Cahill (@darren_cahill) January 11, 2019
Billie Jean King added her tribute, writing on Twitter: “You are a champion on and off the court. So sorry you cannot retire on your own terms, but remember to look to the future. Your greatest impact on the world may be yet to come. Your voice for equality will inspire future generations. Much love to you and your family.”
The @andy_murray that I know will absolutely make it to Wimbledon to play his final tournament. Not many with more heart, effort in the history of the game. Was always a pleasure to share the court pal.
— Mardy Fish (@MardyFish) January 11, 2019
German player Andrea Petkovic told reporters: “He was always my favourite, and I think it will be a huge loss for tennis in general, but also for the WTA. Because even nowadays, when you think everything is equal, you still need men, especially successful men, to speak up for women.”
Tennis will come to an end for us all but the friendships will last a lifetime. What you’ve done for the sport will live on forever. I’m hoping for a strong and healthy finish for you, my friend! @andy_murray pic.twitter.com/Bcs0cdllJp
— Grigor Dimitrov (@GrigorDimitrov) January 11, 2019
Murray is a well-respected and popular figure in the locker room, and his friends and rivals were quick to add their tributes.
Grigor Dimitrov said: “For sure he will be missed. He’s been a great friend above everything.
Whatever you think “emptying the bucket” means….times that by 5 and that’s who @andy_murray is. Thank you Andy – thank you for always being you. #1 https://t.co/0jQgFI5EkA
— Daniel Vallverdu (@danielvallverdu) January 11, 2019
“His sense of humour at times is so weird but I enjoy it. We just recently had dinner in Brisbane. He’s overall a great guy, great competitor, loves the sport, gave so much to the sport and proved that with hard work everything is possible.
“I really wish him the best because it’s also a new beginning for the rest of his life. I just hope he can finish at his favourite tournament at Wimbledon.”
— Stanislas Wawrinka (@stanwawrinka) January 11, 2019
Juan Martin Del Potro, who can empathise more than most with Murray’s injury struggles, urged the Scot not to give up.
He wrote on Twitter: “Andy, just watched your conference. Please don’t stop trying. Keep fighting. I can imagine your pain and sadness. I hope you can overcome this. You deserve to retire on your own terms, whenever that happens. We love you @andy_murray and we want to see you happy and doing well.”
Hard to read that @andy_murray being forced to retire because of injury,no doubt one of Scotland’s greatest ever sportsmen ???
— stephen hendry (@SHendry775) January 11, 2019
Rafa Nadal took to his Instagram account to write: “You don’t know how much we are going to miss you. You are an example of a great athlete and person.”
Andy Roddick beat Murray in the 2009 Wimbledon semi-final, and the American has urged him to hold off from retiring for another six more months.
He tweeted: “Just thinking out loud here. He deserves his moment to say goodbye at Wimbledon. He’s too important to Great Britain and Wimbledon history to not have it. Would be a pretty cool moment to play doubles w his bro at Wimby if he can’t play singles!”
Former British number one Greg Rusedski: “Andy Murray is our best British tennis player in the Open era. He is one of the best athletes, tactician and competitor to grace our sport.
Andy Murray is our best British tennis player in the Open era. He is one of the best athletes, tactician & competitor to grace our sport.He should be so proud of his incredible career . 3 GS?, 1 DavisCup winner,2 Olympic Golds ?, Year end World no.1 , 45 titles!?? ????
— Greg Rusedski (@GregRusedski1) January 11, 2019
“He should be so proud of his incredible career . Three Grand Slams, one Davis Cup winner, two Olympic Golds, Year end World No 1 , 45 titles!”
The tributes continued to pour through on Friday, with Nick Kygios joining the many tennis stars to show their appreciation for Murray.
Dan Evans added: “He’s been great not just for me but for every British tennis player. He made tennis a very high profile sport in the country again.
“He’s an inspiration to everybody. It’s desperately sad that his career’s had to end because of injury and not so much on his own terms but he’s had an unbelievable career and he’s probably one of the best sportsmen Britain’s ever had if not the best. It’s a pretty sad day isn’t it.”