Andy Murray, former world No. 1 and British tennis icon, has received a second offer to play doubles at Wimbledon next year, despite his imminent retirement at the Olympics in less than a month. The tennis star, who has expressed interest in a coaching role post-retirement, is also eligible to participate in the Invitational doubles as a retired player in 2025.
Ash Barty initially asked Murray to partner with her in the mixed doubles legends event, but now, Feliciano Lopez, Murray’s former partner, has extended an invitation to revive their successful partnership. The duo famously won the Queen’s Club tournament five years ago upon Murray’s return from hip resurfacing surgery in 2019.
Lopez, who retired last year and is currently playing in the invitational draw with Jeremy Chardy, eagerly anticipates teaming up with Murray once again. “Of course. I would love to, I would love to,” Lopez stated. He humorously added a direct plea to Murray: “Andy, I’m waiting for you for next year invitational. I hope this time you don’t say no.”
Reflecting on their past collaboration, Lopez revealed that he had previously sought to play more doubles with Murray, but Murray’s focus on his singles career and his battles with injuries made it unfeasible. “Not for the invitational. But I wanted to play some more doubles with him the last three years after Queen’s but he was mainly focused on his singles career,” Lopez explained.
Lopez praised Murray’s exceptional game understanding and intelligence, which made him an ideal doubles partner. “I mean his understanding of the game, he reads the game I think faster than myself and I think the majority of the players. He’s very smart, he reads the game very well and he’s a great doubles partner of course,” Lopez remarked.
During a recent Centre Court ceremony, Lopez paid tribute to Murray, lauding his bravery in competing against the Big Three of tennis and achieving the world No. 1 ranking. “Legend. This is in every sense of the word,” Lopez said. “I think he was a little bit unlucky to play in this generation of players. I think he, I’m sure he could’ve won many more Majors and many more tournaments without the Big Three but at the same time he was very brave to challenge them, to be No. 1 in the world in that generation.”
Ash Barty also expressed her desire to partner with Murray in the Invitational mixed doubles next year, despite declining his offer to play in the main draw in 2019. “I would have loved to play mixed doubles with Andy, but singles were my focus and I had already entered ladies doubles as well,” Barty explained. She added with hope, “Maybe Andy will play in the Invitational with me here next year?!”
As Murray prepares for the next chapter in his career, these offers highlight the enduring respect and admiration he commands in the tennis community, and fans eagerly await his potential return to Wimbledon.
Andy Murray in 2024
Ranked world no.113, Murray played his last match on the 19th of June when he had to retire when playing against world no.40 Jordan Thompson in the 2nd round and the scoreline was 4-1 .
Currently, during this year Murray owns a composed 7-13 win-loss record.
Andy Murray |
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