Andy Murray may yet have at least one more match to play but Wimbledon bid farewell to the two-time champion in an emotional tribute on Centre Court on Thursday night.
Past champions from Novak Djokovic to John McEnroe graced the court, so too the British men tasked with taking over Murray’s mantle at SW19 in Jack Draper, Cameron Norrie and Dan Evans.
Sue Barker was brought out of retirement to interview him on court while video messages played out from the likes of Roger Federer and Serena Williams.
It almost seemed immaterial that Murray had just played a match – his first at Wimbledon with brother Jamie – so too that he lost it 7-6, 6-4 to John Peers and Rinky Hijikata.
The Australian duo must almost feel like villains for defeating the British pair in echoes of Federer bowing out on the losing side of his doubles match with Rafael Nadal at the Laver Cup - also in London - at the end of last year.
Murray is scheduled to play the mixed doubles with Emma Raducanu later in the week, although Raducanu’s priority is clearly the singles against Maria Sakkari on Friday.
This was Murray’s moment and yet it was apt to be shared on screen and in person by some of his greatest rivals.
Of those, he said: “They weren’t the easiest guys to get past. All tennis fans have been lucky to witness what they’ve gone on to do.
“It’s been incredible to watch and be part of some of the matches with them. I was fortunate to manage to get through a couple of times in big moments. What a time to be on tour.”
Murray’s box was packed with family members – his parents, wife Kim and two of the couple’s daughters, a rarity to watch their dad in action. He joked in his speech afterwards that it was way past their bedtime.
As the 37-year-old came onto court there was a standing ovation and he simply acknowledged the crowd with a raise of his racket. A further cheer emanated when he was called to serve for the first time.
I would love to keep playing, but I can’t. Physically it’s too tough now
He had talked about wanting to feel the Centre Court buzz one last time and yet it felt strangely muted early on, a tense atmosphere for the Murray farewell.
He and brother Jamie had played doubles before at the highest level at the Davis Cup, but had never done so at Wimbledon.
Of the experience, the younger of the two brothers, Andy, said: “It was obviously really special. We never got the chance to do it before. There was a chance this year.
“Obviously it was a bit of a race against time to try and get out here and physically it wasn’t easy today but I’m glad we were able to get out there and do this one time together.”
Clearly, physically he was not at his peak, struggling with overheads and reaching for the forehands to his side.
The shame is that were his body willing, he would continue well beyond this Wimbledon. As he said in his emotional farewell: “I would love to keep playing, but I can’t. Physically it’s too tough now. All of the injuries have added up. I want to play forever, I love the sport.
“It’s given me so much, taught me loads of lessons that I can use in the rest of my life. I don’t want to stop, so it’s hard.”
And yet with his brother at his side, it seemed an appropriate time to stop on the court that has defined him, even though he might yet be back one more time.
