We don’t know what storylines will dominate the end of the 2019 Australian Open but one man’s announcement has overshadowed the tournament so far.
In his excruciating press conference, Andy Murray announced that his hip hasn’t recovered and he will retire from professional tennis this year. The 31-year-old plans to exit the sport at Wimbledon so long as his troublesome hip allows it.
If you want one of those mature reflections on the Scot’s career, head this way. But for this piece, let’s enjoy some of Andy’s greatest moments on and off the court.
The magic was there as a kid
This match saw an 18-year-old ‘Andrew Murray’ play former Australian Open champion Thomas Johansson in his debut season on the pro tour. He made the ATP’s ‘Shot of the Week’ with this dropshot-lob combination:
“The guy’s talking about my mum. What the hell’s he doing?”
This fantastic exchange between two future US Open champions sees 20-year-old Andy argue with 19-year-old Juan Martin del Potro over Judy Murray’s honour. They’re good mates now though, don’t worry.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRMn_L4NrhU
I’m sorry Roger, would you like to see my 99mph backhand?
Murray has been a bit of a nemesis for Roger Federer over the years. The Swiss shades their head-to-head at 14-11. The Scot beat Federer six times in their first eight encounters thanks to shots like this one:
Ending 77 years of hurt
In 2013, Murray became the first British man since Fred Perry to capture the Wimbledon singles title. He defeated Novak Djokovic to earn his second career grand slam.
Lendl gets the treatment from his pupil
Just a few weeks before that first Wimbledon title, Murray played an exhibition match against his coach Ivan Lendl. Here, the Czech receives an almighty bodyshot from an ecstatic Murray.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3GjDQc2JPA
Ending 79 years of hurt
Great Britain had not lifted the Davis Cup since 1936. Enter the Murrays. In 2015, the siblings lead Britain to the title with three doubles wins as a pair while Andy went eight-for-eight in singles. Here’s Andy’s Davis Cup final championship point against Belgium’s David Goffin.
Anyone for football tennis?
Murray is a big football fan and was asked to train at Rangers’ school of excellence as a teenager. Here he tries to combine both sports. Umpire Damien Dumusois isn’t impressed with this half volley.
No one likes you on the tour
This is just wonderfully petty. Lukas Rosol, who once knocked Rafael Nadal out of Wimbledon, is on the end of Murray’s charm.
Olympic champion (x2)
It wasn’t enough to win one singles gold medal, defeating Roger Federer at Wimbledon to do so, Murray decided to defend his title at Rio 2016. Here’s the last point as the emotional Scot embraces an exhausted Juan Martin del Potro.
Murray corrects Inverdale
Fresh from that medal success, Murray scores a bonus point over the BBC’s John Inverdale
The Best Player In The World
Murray peaked in 2016 as a monumental late season charge took him to world no.1 for the first time in his career. He’s also the first British man to reach the sport’s peak in the professional era. Here, Murray defeats Djokovic to win the ATP Finals and claim the year-end no.1 place. Not a bad day’s work.
And finally…some clips of Murray doing his thing all over the men’s tour…
He was never the quickest
He was never the quickest (Part II)
Round the netpost you say? Alright
Return a 147 mph serve? Go on so
That time he lobbed 6’ 11” Ivo Karlovic SIX times during a match
Ah you’re taking the piss mate
And finally, the greatest photo ever taken
As you can see I'm chuffed to bits with my Christmas jumper #FireInTheBelly pic.twitter.com/qImylslFWG
— Andy Murray (@andy_murray) December 26, 2014
Thanks for all of it Andy!
Andy Murray is 9/1 to win Wimbledon 2019