Andy Murray (37), the former world number 1, double winner in singles at Wimbledon, and his brother Jamie (38) were eliminated in the first round of the doubles draw of the prestigious London tournament on Thursday. The two British players, beneficiaries of a wild card, lost to the Australians Rinky Hijikata and John Peers (7-6 [6]6-4).
The first set was tight, with neither pair giving up serve. The decision came down to a tie-break, where the Murray brothers had a chance to close things out, leading 6-5. But Hijikata and Peers fought back and eventually took the set.
Andy Murray to retire after Olympics
In the second set, Andy and Jamie Murray struck first, breaking at 1-0. But they then lost their serve twice, at 2-0 and then 3-3. Strong on their own serve, Rinky Hijikata and John Peers cruised to victory and qualification for the second round.
After this defeat, Andy Murray was celebrated during a ceremony during which Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Venus Williams paid tribute to him, by video. The Scot, who ended in tears and received a standing ovation, was in fact playing his last match at Wimbledon on Thursday. He announced that he would end his career after the Paris 2024 Olympic Games (from July 26 to August 11).
