Andy Murray edges closer to Wimbledon farewell after losing doubles clash with brother Jamie
Andy Murray may have played his penultimate match at Wimbledon
REUTERS
Andy and Jamie Murray have been knocked out of the men’s doubles at Wimbledon after losing to Rinky Hijikita and John Peers.
It was the match Centre Court ticket holders were anxiously waiting for on Thursday and they were made a little bit longer before erupting into cheer as the Murray brothers walked out onto the big stage.
His Wimbledon farewell was underway and the crowd were cheering at every opportunity.
Walking up to the net for the coin toss led to a loud cheer and the umpire announcing ‘Murray to serve’ raised the decibels even further.
Andy Murray may have played his penultimate match at Wimbledon
REUTERS
But this wasn’t going to be an exhibition match for the three-time major champion and he wouldn’t have entered either the men’s or mixed doubles if he didn’t feel able to compete.
There were clear signs early on that the back - which he underwent surgery on just last week - was still causing him issues and he pulled up in pain after the third game.
However, the 37-year-old managed to brush off the brief injury scare and began to settle his rhythm.
The British duo were more than holding their own against Peers and Hijikita with nothing to separate them in the first set as it went to a tiebreak.
The Australian pair took the early advantage but then Jamie got the siblings back into it before opening up a set point opportunity that they couldn’t convert.
And it proved to be costly as Peers and Hijikita made them pay to take a one-set lead.
Undeterred, the Murray brothers got off to the perfect start in the second set with an early break with the two-time Wimbledon champion roaring in the direction of his box.
But they were unable to consolidate the break with loud groans echoing around Centre Court as the Australian pair got back level.
Andy Murray still had the Wimbledon crowd on their feet at times
REUTERS
The home favourites were then up against it in the seventh game with Jamie serving and 15-40 before the older Murray brother gave it away with a double fault.
That put Peers and Hijikita just two games away from knocking the Murray brothers out and upset the script on Centre Court.
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It wasn't to be as Peers and Hijikita got the job done with Andy and Jamie gracefully embracing their opponents at the net.
It won't be the final time Andy plays at Wimbledon as he is scheduled to take to the court with Emma Raducanu in the mixed doubles.