This is one of the saddest retirements ever for me.
Andy truly was an original. From his unique playing style and what Peter Bodo titled his funky "Homemade Game" to his dry wit, Andy brough a unique likability to tennis, which was booming globally but short of unique personalities when he entered the scene.
He also shouldered the burden and pressure of tennis mad Britons at one of the biggest tournaments in the sport. No one can really understand the unique modern-day media pressure and expectation Andy faced at Wimbledon every year, except maybe predecessors like Tim Henman. But Andy withstood the pressure and came through, winning the whole thing twice, along with several other deep runs at the event in one the strongest ever eras. Along with his YE 1 and major triumphs, he stands alone in some unique career milestones (the 2 x OGSGM stand out).
He also brought an attention and great regard to women's tennis and highlighted the great WTA players of his era, something most high profile male players have been loathe to do. He discussed equality and talked warmly about WTA players he enjoyed watching and the talent clearly evident in the women's game. And it came from somewhere real, he himself adding talented former WTA pro Amelie Mauresmo to his coaching team.
But quite aside from all his humanity and unique character, we would not be talking about Murray if he was not a
HELL of a tennis player. Peak Murray was a force to be reckoned with. A brute of a man, and the biggest and strongest of the Big 4, Murray was a potent physical presence at his best. At his peak he had a 200m runner's build, big and mobile, and his explosiveness was good but his top end speed was even scarier. He was a beast at full run, and this speed gave him the ability to defend the court and apply his extraordinary variety with guile, skill and power. His return of serve and backhand are on par with the best of the era.
Some of my favourite Murray Moments:
Japan Open final 2011
Murray beats Nadal on quick Japanese HC in one of the best final performances of his career. His level in the last set was near unplayable.
Australian Open semi final 2013
Murray, ever the red-blooded competitor, was never one to take sX$% from Federer. So when the pompadour got lippy, Andy put the afterburners on. Andy's linedrive backhand winner at 3-4 in the crucial 4th set, complete with headnod and fist pump is one of my favourite ever points
Wimbledon quarter final 2013
Murray delighting his adoring public and coming through an absolute tightrope walk against a red-hot Fernando Verdasco. He would go on to win his first Wimbledon title.
Madrid final 2015
Murray showing off his surface diversity and goating on clay. Amazing point construction, power, skill and touch, everything we will always remember from him
Australian Open round 4 2007
Two of my favourite players, as young tyros, playing one of the best AO matches of the last 15 years.
I am really going to miss Andy on the court. I hope we are going to get the chance to still enjoy his personality and dry wit as a commentator and voice on the game for a long time. He has a whole new part of his life to enjoy now and I hope public life is a part of that because he really has been one of the great characters of tennis.