Andy Murray last night led the tributes to his brother Jamie after the seven-time Grand Slam doubles champion announced his retirement from professional tennis.
The elder brother of three-time grand slam singles champion Andy opted to call time on his glittering career yesterday at the age of 40, having not played since last August’s US Open.
Murray won 34 doubles titles, seven of which were at grand slams including two at Wimbledon in the mixed doubles, with Jelena Jankovic in 2007 and Martina Hingis in 2017.
He also claimed the 2016 Australian and US Open men’s doubles titles with Brazilian partner Bruno Soares, and famously was part of the Great Britain team who won the Davis Cup for the first time in 79 years in 2015.
Recalling their many jousts as they rose through the ranks, Andy Murray hailed his sibling as he reflected on the shared journey towards that Davis Cup success, labelling himself as Jamie’s ‘No 1 fan’.
In a personal video message posted by the Lawn Tennis Association on X, Andy Murray said: ‘He’ll go down as one of the best doubles players the UK’s ever had.
Jamie Murray and brother Andy reached heights that British tennis may never see again
‘Jamie, I’m not sure what I loved more when we were kids, being on court with you or winding you up. But I know the way we pushed each other helped us both go as far as we did.
‘You were the first to win a Wimbledon title, the first British player to reach world No 1 since the seventies, seven grand slams, 39 titles and one of the best volleyers in the sport.
‘After 22 years and more than a thousand matches, it’s been weird not checking in on all of your results these past few months. Looking back, so many of the moments that mean the most to me on court, we were out there together.
‘Our first Olympics in Beijing, to winning the Davis Cup. All those ties back in Scotland, I’ll always owe you for that final match on Centre Court.
‘It meant everything to share that with you and now it’s your turn to call it a day. I know you’re ready. I just hope you know how proud we all are of you.
‘Jamie Murray: Grand Slam champion, Davis Cup winner, Olympian, world number 1, partner, brother, very average golfer. Enjoy retirement. From your number one fan, Andy.’
Murray savours Australian Open success with Bruno Soares in 2016, a glorious year for the pair
The doubles supremo partnered his brother to victory in the quarter-finals, semi-finals and in the famous David Cup final victory over Belgium in Ghent.
Murray ended his Davis Cup career with an impressive record of 14 wins from 20 doubles matches.
Announcing his decision yesterday, the Scot wrote on Instagram: ‘My tennis journey comes to an end after 36 years.
‘I feel very fortunate and privileged for all the amazing experiences this great sport has given me.
‘Thanks Mum, Dad, Andy, Ale, Alan, Louis and Thomas for all your incredible support, efforts and sacrifices throughout my career that allowed me to achieve everything I could in the game.
‘For everybody else that’s helped/supported me — I appreciate all of you! Excited to enter the real world!’
Britain’s Davis Cup captain Leon Smith said: ‘Jamie’s been an unbelievable player representing Great Britain on the world stage over his career.
‘He played an invaluable role in our Davis Cup 2015 winning campaign and we have many great memories from across the 20 ties he’s played.
Murray enjoyed plenty success in his glittering career but Davis Cup glory was the pinnacle
‘He’s positively impacted the game of doubles in this country and globally — with his achievements and commitment to the game — and it was a great privilege to be a part of his career over the years.’
Murray was the first British player to climb to world No 1 in doubles, while he and Andy became the first brothers to simultaneously top the rankings in singles and doubles.
The siblings entered the men’s doubles at Wimbledon in 2024 but lost in the first round on a packed Centre Court.
In total, Murray played in 1,019 ATP Tour-level matches, winning 589.
