British doubles legend Murray retires from tennis

British doubles legend Murray retires from tennis

After 36 years in the sport, Jamie Murray concluded his tennis career, marking the end of an era for British doubles tennis. The seven-time Grand Slam champion, who had been absent from competition since last August, expressed his excitement about stepping into new ventures, stating he was “proud to enter the real world.” His Instagram post reflected on the “incredible experiences” tennis provided, while thanking family and supporters for their contributions over the years.

Murray, now 40, will be remembered for his distinctive volleying techniques and ability to create unexpected angles at the net. His unorthodox returns, including the use of lobbed service returns, often disrupted opponents’ strategies. Beyond his playing career, he was a vocal advocate for doubles players, emphasizing their importance in the sport despite being undervalued compared to singles events.

“Doubles has its place in the game – it’s not the golden ticket that singles is, but it’s undervalued by the tour,” he told BBC Sport. “As these events grow longer, they need content, and doubles supports that.”

Throughout his career, Murray earned 34 doubles titles, with two of them achieved alongside his younger brother Andy. Their partnership led to historic moments, such as GB’s Davis Cup victory in 2015, the first in 79 years. The brothers’ matches, including a grueling five-set semi-final against Australia and a decisive clash with Belgium in Ghent, showcased their relentless teamwork and skill.

Jamie and Andy’s early years were marked by playful competition, both on and off the court. Judy, their mother, recounted how they would mimic wrestling matches at home, using pillows and duvets to stage their own bouts. Andy favored The Rock, while Jamie supported Stone Cold Steve Austin, turning their childhood into a blend of tennis and entertainment.

“Andy’s favourite [wrestler] was The Rock and Jamie’s was Stone Cold Steve Austin,” Judy recalled. “They used to wrestle each other on the duvet and thump each other with pillows, creating these belts and making up their own rules and scoring systems.”

Despite their sibling rivalry, Jamie’s path to professionalism was not without challenges. A difficult experience at an LTA training school in Cambridge during his teenage years led to struggles with adapting to an elite environment. Although he never blamed the LTA, his forehand technique was affected, and he admitted he never fully regained his previous form. Yet, his achievements in doubles and mixed events, including two Wimbledon titles with Jelena Jankovic and Martina Hingis, remain a testament to his talent.

Murray also highlighted the lack of tennis infrastructure in Scotland, noting that his hometown of Dunblane had no tradition or environment to support the sport. Despite these odds, he and Andy managed to make their mark, with Jamie’s recent US Open triumph and world number one ranking alongside Andy being a fitting culmination of their efforts.