Andy Murray enjoyed a legendary tennis career, reaching world number one and winning three Grand Slam titles.
The British star lost the first four Grand Slam finals of his career, coming up short against Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
It was against the Serb that Murray finally picked up his first Major, winning a five-set classic at the 2012 US Open.
Hungry for more, he travelled to Wimbledon in 2013 looking to become the first man to win at the All England Club since Fred Perry lifted the trophy in 1936.
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Beating Djokovic once more, Murray emerged victorious on Centre Court in 2013, ending the 76-year wait for a men’s winner at Wimbledon.
Speaking after he won his second Wimbledon title three years later, Murray explained why he ‘didn’t really enjoy’ his win in 2013.
Andy Murray said he felt ‘pure relief’ after first Wimbledon win and ‘didn’t really enjoy’ the moment
During his post-match press conference following his second Wimbledon triumph, Murray was asked how the feeling compared to his maiden win.
“I mean, it is different. I feel happier this time. I feel, yeah, more content this time,” he said.
“You know, I feel like this was sort of more for myself than anything, and my team as well. We’ve all worked really hard to help get me in this position.
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“You know, last time it was just pure relief, and I didn’t really enjoy the moment as much, whereas I’m going to make sure I enjoy this one more than the others.”
The Brit explained what he had to do after the final in 2013 that he planned to avoid the second time around.
“You just kind of get dragged in all sorts of different directions afterwards,” said Murray.
“I want to spend this time with my family and my closest friends, you know, the people that I work with. That’s who I want to be around right now.
“I’ll make sure I spend a lot of time with them over the next couple of days. Yeah, look forward to that.”
Murray was impressive in his two Wimbledon final wins, taking home the 2013 and 2016 titles in straight sets.
- 2013 Wimbledon F – Andy Murray beat Novak Djokovic, 6-4, 7-5, 6-4
- 2016 Wimbledon F – Andy Murray beat Milos Raonic, 6-4, 7-6, 7-6
Having picked up his third Major title, Murray hoped to add more to his collection, highlighting what he’d have to do to win a fourth.
“I obviously would have loved to have won more. The guys that I’ve been playing against have won lots. A lot of people say they are the best three players of all time,” he said.
“I’ve won some matches against them in Slams, but I’ve also lost quite a few, too.
“If I want to add to three Slams, I’m going to have to find ways to win against them. It’s very rare that you get through a Slam without playing Novak [Djokovic], Roger [Federer], or Rafa [Nadal].
“But I still feel like my best tennis is ahead of me, that I have an opportunity to win more.
“Everyone’s time comes at different stages. Some come in their early 20s, some in their mid-20s. Hopefully mine is still to come.”
Did Andy Murray come close to winning a fourth Grand Slam?
Murray remained a contender at the Major tournaments through the remainder of 2016 and the beginning of the 2017 season before he began to struggle with injury.
Andy Murray’s Grand Slam results post-2016 Wimbledon
After his defeat to Sam Querrey in the last eight of Wimbledon in 2017, Murray never returned to a Grand Slam quarterfinal.
Andy Murray’s Grand Slam defeats by round post-2017 Wimbledon
- 3R – 3 defeats
- 2R – 6 defeats
- 1R – 5 defeats
Injuries derailed the career of perennial Grand Slam contender Murray, who retired last summer as a three-time Major champion.
Few who watched Murray lift the trophy on Centre Court in 2016 would have believed it would be his last, as at the time he seemed likely to push on to further Grand Slam success.
It wasn’t to be, although he will always be remembered as the man who ended the British wait for success at the All England Club.
Perhaps world number four Jack Draper can become the next British champion at SW19 when the 2025 Wimbledon tournament begins on Monday, June 30.