Goodbye, Andy Murray: how the fiery kid I once watched became a Wimbledon hero

Andy Murray with the winner’s trophy at Wimbledon after beating Novak Djokovic in 2013. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

Tennis without Andy Murray is like summer without wine; Wimbledon without Murray is like strawberries without cream. And, at some undesignated point, that emptiness will arrive like one goodbye backhand down the line in fading sunshine on Centre Court.

Since he first played in the championships in 2005, he has returned 14 times, twice triumphant, sometimes disappointed, occasionally disappointing, but never less than as snarlingly committed as an angry summer wasp. And now? We’re not sure. Nor is he.