The prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer, led the tributes to Sir Andy Murray after his tennis career ended at the Olympics, while the Lawn Tennis Association announced they will name the centre court at Queen’s Club after the Briton in honour of his career.
Murray and Dan Evans lost to US pair Tommy Paul and Taylor Fritz in the doubles quarter-finals at Roland Garros, bringing an end to Murray’s final tournament as a professional.
Starmer described Murray, who Wimbledon twice and the US Open once, as “a true British great” in a post on X on Thursday night. Scotland’s first minister, John Swinney, said Murray was “Scotland’s greatest ever sportsman” and thanked him for “the incredible memories he gave us over so many years”.
1 Davis Cup, 2 Olympic golds and 3 Grand Slams.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) August 1, 2024
But more than that, thanks @andy_murray for two decades of phenomenal entertainment and sportsmanship.
A true British great.
Forever in our hearts 💙 Today, we celebrate an amazing career and legacy. #SirAndy | @andy_murray pic.twitter.com/dailIta1Zo
— ATP Tour (@atptour) August 1, 2024
The LTA moved quickly to announce Queen’s will commemorate their five-times champion by renaming their centre court the Andy Murray Arena.
The LTA chief executive, Scott Lloyd said: “Andy is the greatest tennis player ever to come from this country and a giant of British sport. His contribution to the game is immense and has bought us all so many moments of pride. He was relentless in his pursuit of excellence and had a single-minded determination to succeed.
“His brilliance on court bought to an end the long wait for a British male singles winner at Wimbledon, brought home Olympic gold and silver medals, and he was the driving force behind Britain’s 2015 Davis Cup success.
“Anyone who ever saw him play knows he put his heart and soul into his performances on the court. His incredible work ethic and love for the sport was demonstrated by his repeated returns from injury, when many others would not have had the resolve.
“Perhaps equal to his on-court success was his attitude in championing equality and diversity right across the sport. He is a special role model for tennis in this country and beyond and a unique champion. We are proud to name the arena at our tournament at the Queen’s Club after him.”
Honouring our greatest Champion 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
— LTA (@the_LTA) August 1, 2024
Introducing for 2025 'The Andy Murray Arena' at The Queen's Club 🏟️ pic.twitter.com/waeWTOJTP7
Laura Robson, who won Olympics mixed doubles silver alongside Murray at London 2012, kept it simple, saying “What a guy” in her post. Murray’s reach goes far beyond sport and he received praise from comedians Dara Ó Briain and Shaparak Khorsandi, the latter saying: “I hope Andy Murray understands how amazing he is.”
Sad to see @andy_murray finish playing, after a brilliant career. The last of the Mock The Week gang, this is the final hurrah for us all.
— Dara Ó Briain (@daraobriain) August 1, 2024
I hope Andy Murray understands how amazing he is. There is way more to come in terms of his legacy. Or he'll just bloody enjoy his beautiful life quietly. Either way, good luck to that beautiful human ❤️
— Shaparak Khorsandi شاپرک خرسندی (@ShappiKhorsandi) August 1, 2024
There were also tributes on social media from the French Open, Team GB and the LTA, with the latter calling Murray “our greatest of all time”. Evans, Murray’s doubles partner for his final tournament, told Eurosport that the experience was “everything I thought and more – something I’ll cherish forever.” Judy Murray, Andy’s mother, posted a picture of him playing tennis at the age of five.
Farewell, Sir Andy Murray
— Team GB (@TeamGB) August 1, 2024
Five-time Olympian, three-time Olympic medallist and British sporting legend. pic.twitter.com/smjNrY5uwg
Our Greatest of All Time 🇬🇧
— LTA (@the_LTA) August 1, 2024
Thank you for all you've done for the sport we love, @andy_murray ❤️ pic.twitter.com/IdIcF3FE2S
First match age 5. Last match age 37. pic.twitter.com/QarqAGY4uQ
— judy murray (@JudyMurray) August 1, 2024
But even among the glowing tributes, Murray managed to get the last word, tweeting: “Never even liked tennis anyway” shortly after his final match. He also made a poignant update to his understated profile tagline on X; it now reads “I played tennis.”
Never even liked tennis anyway.
— Andy Murray (@andy_murray) August 1, 2024
