In a heartfelt message, tennis legend Serena Williams congratulated Andy Murray on his illustrious career as the three-time Grand Slam champion plays in his final Wimbledon tournament.
Williams, who has been a trailblazer for women's tennis, thanked Murray for his unwavering support and advocacy for gender equality in the sport.
The pair famously teamed up to compete in the mixed doubles event at Wimbledon in 2019, showcasing their on-court chemistry and camaraderie.
During an emotional ceremony held on Centre Court after Andy and his brother, Jamie, played Men's Doubles on Thursday evening, Murray was honoured for his remarkable contributions to the game.
Williams, known for her own fiery on-court demeanor, also playfully referenced Murray's famously grumpy expressions, further highlighting the mutual respect and admiration between the two tennis superstars.
"Congratulations to you Andy Murray for such an incredible career,” said Williams in a video on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
“I have to say I’ve always enjoyed watching you. One of the main reasons because you were one of the few players who would be more angry than me on the court, which is a hard thing to do. May have been an attitude just like mine let’s say.
“But to me it was the most exciting thing to watch and I had the pleasure of playing mixed doubles by your side, which was such a fantastic experience to do that, at Wimbledon nonetheless. It really was one of the highlights of my life.
“I’m just so grateful that I had that experience and I also hold a special place in my heart to you because you always speak out so much for women and everything that women deserve.”
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The video montage featured on Centre Court included a clip of Andy Murray admonishing a reporter who had failed to acknowledge the accomplishments of American female tennis players during a press conference in 2017.
Murray was known for his staunch advocacy of women's tennis, often using his platform to shine a light on the achievements of female players.
Moreover, Murray made history in 2014 when he appointed Amelie Mauresmo as his coach, becoming one of the first high-profile male players to work with a female coach. This move was seen as a significant step forward in breaking down gender barriers in the sport.
“You were the leader in that and the things you said about myself and Venus, so many things about how we were always so inspiring and what we meant to you, it really went such a long way in my heart,” added Williams.
“I will always be grateful for that, I will always be grateful for the support you gave myself, the support you gave women and the excitement that you brought and bring to tennis.
“Watching you win Wimbledon and the US Open and those gold medals was so exciting. I truly enjoyed it. I’ve always been such a fan, as you already know, and I will always be cheering for you and rooting you on in whatever you decide to do next.”
