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I still remember the first time I saw Andy Murray play at Wimbledon.
It was back in the summer of 2005, when the Briton was playing at the competition for the very first time. Having swept past George Bastl and Radek Stepanek, without dropping a single set, he had set up a blockbuster clash with David Nalbandian in the third round of the competition.
At the time, you have to remember Tim Henman was the big dog in British tennis. Murray was the new kid on the block, the rookie wanting to rule. When he went two sets up against Nalbandian, it seemed as though tennis’ next best thing had arrived. That he was British was an added bonus.
He would go on to lose, with Nalbandian eventually showing his class to go through. But Murray had arrived and the future, it seemed, would belong to him.
Andy Murray is set to retire from tennis after the Paris Olympics this summer
PA
Except, in the years that followed, I found myself struggling to appreciate Murray.
Born in 1994, I’m part of the generation that worshipped Roger Federer. His slickness, his style, the way he danced around the court without breaking a sweat. Even now, despite Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic winning more majors, he is my personal favourite.
But I liked Nadal, too. The way he battered and bullied opponents on clay, establishing a dominance of the French Open unlike anything seen before. The way he adapted his game to become victorious on all surfaces, despite longstanding knee issues. The way he stood up to Federer on grass and beat him, eventually winning the greatest Wimbledon final of all time back in 2008.
As the years went on, Djokovic became my third favourite. He had gone under the radar due to the brilliance of the players around him but, after winning the Australian Open in 2008, he finally announced his arrival. He is a true champion, a serial winner, a man with more majors to his name than any other. His legacy, no matter how many Grand Slam finals he loses as the clock ticks down, is assured.
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When it came to Murray, I couldn’t quite put my finger on it.
Was it his drab demenour? Perhaps. Murray isn’t someone to be the life and soul of the party and doesn’t always ooze personality. Federer, Nadal and Djokovic aren’t as robotic – which is perhaps why they appealed to me, as a youngster, far more.
When Federer beat Murray in 2012, I thought it was written in the stars that the Briton would never win a major. It was his fourth defeat in a Grand Slam final, having previously lost to
Federer twice before – as well as Djokovic. The tears flowed and, with it, his chances of ever scaling such dizzying heights seemed to be pouring away as well.
I never used to appreciate Andy Murray like I did Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic
GETTY
But then that all changed in 2012. I was wrong, so wrong. Because, just four weeks after his defeat to Federer in the final of Wimbledon, Murray ruthlessly dispatched his rival to win Olympic gold.
It was a stunning performance. He could have been forgiven for feeling nervous, returning to the scene of his greatest heartache. But Murray schooled Federer, dropping just seven games in total against the man responsible for his trauma. He won 6-2, 6-1, 6-4.
Suddenly, I found myself having an epiphany. After years of feeling lukewarm towards Murray, now my stance had changed. I was invested in the underdog up against the big boys. Though I still appreciated Federer’s genius, the sight of Murray rising from the ashes to make his mark remains a picturesque sporting image in my mind.
His fighting spirit was on show and when he faced Djokovic in the final of the US Open that same year, there was only ever going to be one winner.
Murray needed five sets to get the job done, with Djokovic fully aware of who the Americans wanted to win. The Serb has always been at his best when playing in the face of adversity and it was no different that night. Except, he was up against a Murray on a mission, an Olympic gold medal winner still riding that wave and who won the trophy by playing some sublime, stunning tennis along the way.
He would go on to win Wimbledon twice, the only British men’s player to achieve the feat in the modern era, as well as another Olympic gold in Rio in 2016. Given who he’s had to go up against, that only cements his legacy.
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Andy Murray schooled Roger Federer to win Olympic gold back in 2012
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Now 30, I look back at how I used to feel about Murray with nothing but regret. As he prepares to bow out in Paris this summer, I’m sorry for underestimating arguably the greatest sportsperson Britain has ever produced.
Even in his twilight years, with injuries causing issues, he has remained a fierce competitor. There have been glimpses, only glimpses, of the player he used to be.
But when they’ve come, they’ve been a joy to watch. His power, his energy and his ability to captivate and enchant tennis fans will live long in the memory.
Andy Murray has won three Grand Slams throughout his career, including two Wimbledon titles
PA
Wouldn’t it be great to see Murray win gold this summer? To summon the tennis gods one last time, to bow out with three gold medals, to ensure the fairytale ending?
Don’t count on it. But don’t count against it, either. I’m sorry for not always appreciating you, Murray. I do now.
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