Five Andy Murray moments at Wimbledon
"I felt like I was playing for the nation and I couldnt quite do it."
LONDON (AFP) - Britain’s two-time champion Andy Murray returns to Wimbledon singles action for the first time since 2017 next week.
The former world number one, now ranked 119, has been battling hip and groin injuries and there are again question marks over his future in tennis.
Let us look at five major moments in 34-year-old Murray’s career at the All England Club:
2005 - Debut year, reaches third round
Ranked 312 in the world, 18-year-old Murray knocks out George Bastl, who had defeated Pete Sampras at the tournament in 2002, and 13th-ranked Radek Stepanek to make the third round.
Riding a wild wave of support inside Centre Court, Murray takes the first two sets off 2002 runner-up David Nalbandian before the 19th-ranked Argentine’s greater fitness told to claim a 6-7 (4/7), 1-6, 6-0, 6-4, 6-1 win.
“I want to play in big tournaments and I have proved to myself that I can,” said the wiry Murray who required treatment for cramp as his challenge faded.
“But it’s not about doing it for one week of the year, it’s about doing it for 30 weeks. I’m not there physically yet but my tennis is.”
2012 - Tearful final loss to Federer
Murray, now 25, and at four in the world, was aiming to become the first British man since Fred Perry in 1936 to win a Grand Slam title.
But Federer triumphed 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 to claim his seventh Wimbledon and condemn Murray to a fourth successive loss in Slam finals.
“There are mixed emotions. Most of them are negative. The reaction from the crowd was great,” said a tearful Murray, the first British man in a final at the All England Club since Bunny Austin in 1938.
“I felt like I was playing for the nation and I couldn’t quite do it.”
2012 - Olympic gold on Centre Court
Just four weeks later, Murray and Federer were back in Centre Court but this time Murray won 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 to become the first British man to win an Olympic singles gold since Josiah Ritchie in 1908.
“It’s the biggest win of my life,” said Murray, who went on to to defend his Olympic title in Rio four years later.
“This is the best way to come back from the Wimbledon final.”
2013 - First Wimbledon title
Murray, who had captured his maiden Slam title at the US Open in 2012, became Britain’s first Wimbledon men’s champion since Fred Perry in 1936.
Murray defeated world number one Novak Djokovic 6-4, 7-5, 6-4.
Before climbing into the player’s box to celebrate with his family, Murray had turned towards the press box.
“I was staring in the direction of quite a few of the guys in the press. I’ve had a difficult relationship at times over the years. The last few years have been much better,” he explained.
“I know for you guys it’s important that I win this tournament. I tried my best. I worked as hard as I could to do it.”
2016 - Second Wimbledon title
Murray clinched his third Grand Slam title as he brushed aside Canada’s Milos Raonic 6-4, 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (7/2).
The 29-year-old was the first Briton to secure multiple All England Club titles since Perry in the 1930s.
“I’m just really happy I managed to do it again after a lot of tough losses in the latter stages of the slams over the last couple of years,” Murray said.
“To do it twice here, an event where there is a lot of pressure on me to perform well, I’m very proud.”
