Tennis is shifting to a new era! The sport, long dominated by the iconic “Big Four,” is transforming as another of its legends, Andy Murray, prepares to hang up his racquets. The echoes of his final match at the prestigious Wimbledon resonate deeply, marking the end of an era that many fans believed would last forever. Yet, amid this significant change, the tennis world remains as unpredictable and controversy-laden as ever
There was not a single dry eye on the Centre Court on Thursday as Andy Murray bid adieu to the grasscourt grand slam after he conceded a defeat along with his brother Jamie Murray in the men’s doubles category. The duo lost to their Australian counterparts John Peers and Rinky Hijikata, 7(8)-6(6), 6-4. But, more than the emotional tribute to the British tennis legend, what caught the attention of fans was the absence of the Swiss Maestro, Roger Federer.
Roger Federer was at the All-England Club on Thursday and was anticipated to watch Murray play his last match. However, the Swiss legend was not just absent during the match but also the farewell ceremony. While several considered it a move to not steal the limelight from Murray, many did not appreciate the move. Amid the controversy, Federer himself has spoken up giving a reason for his absence.
Speaking to ESPN, Roger Federer revealed the reason that forced him to stay away from the match. “I wish I could’ve been there last night but I already had obligations because I didn’t know how it was gonna all play out.” Continuing further, Federer revealed that he was scheduled to watch Murray play in the singles category, but the Brit decided to withdraw. “As I boarded the flight, I learned Andy wasn’t playing singles. I was like ‘Oh my God.’ I was on standby.” For the unversed, Murray recently underwent a surgical procedure to remove a spinal cyst. This was the primary reason behind him pulling out of the singles category in Wimbledon. However, the tennis great did not fail to meet Murray before his match.
Do you think Roger Federer should have attended Andy Murray’s emotional farewell?
Talking further in the interview, Federer said, “I quickly went to see him before the match. I could see Andy was extremely nervous and caring for that very moment.” This was even confirmed by the tournament director Jamie Baker. When asked if Federer’s absence was to avoid stealing the spotlight from Murray, Baker said, “Yeah, he went and saw Andy before the match. They had a good chat.” Meanwhile, Federer is planning to see one of his fiercest rivals playing again soon.
Roger Federer on Andy Murray’s final Wimbledon, ‘He was there for my retirement at Laver Cup… I loved playing him even though he beat me probably 20 times… of course I was emotional yesterday’
“We’re 2 down in the Big 4. You and now Andy Murray has joined you, saying goodbye… pic.twitter.com/gjr6sCmhaq
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) July 5, 2024
Continuing further about Andy’s mixed double campaign with Emma Raducanu in Wimbledon and then his appearance at the Summer Olympics, the former Swiss player said, “I hope I get to see Andy. What an incredible career…Of course, I was emotional as well yesterday.” It is, however, not clear if Federer will be present for Murray’s mixed doubles match either.
When quizzed, the tournament director Baker said, “I don’t know, I’m not sure how long Roger is staying for.” Meanwhile, for Murray, it was not just Federer’s locker room presence that came as a surprise.
‘I saw on one of the TVs that..’ Andy Murray’s admission about unexpected guests at Wimbledon
Novak Djokovic, John McEnroe, and Martina Navratilova were among the top names who came onto Centre Court after the match. However, there were two guests in the match, whose presence was shocking even for the British tennis legend.
Speaking during the post-match conference after leaving the Centre Court, Murray revealed that he did not expect his daughters, Sophia and Edie, to come to the match. “When we were waiting in the locker room beforehand, I saw on one of the TVs that they were there sitting next to my wife. It was nice,” Murray said. “They’ve only been to one other match that I played and sat in the stands before, in Nottingham last year. I didn’t even know. I didn’t know they were there. It was nice they managed to make it.“
With Murray all set to play his mixed doubles match on Saturday, it will be interesting to see if he can achieve bigger than his men’s double campaign. But what remains certain, is a grand farewell that the tennis world would offer the legendary player.
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