Andy Murray's Wimbledon farewell tour starts with doubles loss alongside brother

Andy Murray, the two-time Wimbledon singles champion, embarked on his farewell tour with a poignant start at the All England Club. 

Despite a recent surgery and withdrawing from singles, Murray took to the court for a doubles match with his brother, Jamie. 

The pair faced Rinky Hijikata and John Peers, ultimately losing 7-6 (6), 6-4 in a match that symbolized more than just a game.

The evening was filled with emotional tributes, including a special video with messages from tennis greats like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Venus Williams. 

The heartfelt homage made the event stirring, with Murray visibly moved. 

"Watching the video was nice, but hard as well, for me. Because you know it’s coming to the end of something that you absolutely loved doing for such a long time. So that was difficult," Murray shared after the match.

This significant occasion marked the first time a men’s doubles first-round match was played in the main stadium in nearly three decades, underscoring the special nature of Murray's goodbye. The Scottish star has announced his plans to retire after participating in mixed doubles at Wimbledon with Emma Raducanu and the upcoming Paris Olympics.

Despite physical discomfort, Murray showcased flashes of the prowess that once took him to the world No. 1 spot, including a forehand return winner early in the second set that sparked a celebratory scream. 

The brothers' synergy on the court was palpable, supported by their mother Judy and Andy's wife and children, who watched from the guest box.

Reflecting on their partnership, Jamie Murray expressed the unique nature of the match: “It was a fun experience for me to be out there and play with him. It was sort of strange knowing what the background was."

Andy Murray's legacy is highlighted by his historic wins at Wimbledon in 2013 and 2016, and his two consecutive Olympic gold medals in 2012 and 2016. 

His career has been marked by fierce determination, a fact noted by Djokovic in the tribute video: "Sometimes, it looked like you against the world."

After the match, Murray was embraced by fellow athletes, signaling a respected and celebrated career. 

As Murray continues his final professional appearances, the tennis world watches and honors a player who has been as much a fighter as a champion.