Andy Murray cried. Dan Evans cried. Even BBC tv presenter Clare Balding cried.
Within the moments after Murray’s illustrious profession got here to an finish on the Paris 2024 Olympics, there was an outpouring of emotion.
It was felt at Roland Garros by Murray, by his British team-mates, by the 1000’s of adoring followers chanting his identify.
It was additionally felt throughout a nation which is able to by no means see certainly one of its sporting icons play professionally once more – and Balding’s response in all probability summed up the emotions of many who’ve watched this British hero over time.
“Clearly, it was emotional as a result of it is the final time I’ll play a aggressive match,” stated Murray, who was additionally applauded by his mom Judy watching on.
“However I’m genuinely comfortable simply now. I am pleased with the way it completed.”
Murray isn’t any stranger to getting emotional in public, after all.
Most famously, there have been the tears on Wimbledon’s Centre Courtroom after shedding to Roger Federer within the 2012 remaining, lastly endearing him to a bigger share of the British public.
“This is not going to be simple…” he stated to Sue Barker on courtroom post-match that day, earlier than the tears got here.
Earlier than that, he welled up after shedding the 2010 Australian Open remaining to Roger Federer – quipping he may “cry like Roger… it is a disgrace I can not play like him”.
As soon as he did land that Grand Slam title – and two extra after that – it was harm that led to extra tears.
In 2018, he sobbed uncontrollably below his towel on the Washington Open as he battled by means of hip ache.
On the eve of the 2019 Australian Open, Murray broke down in a pre-tournament information convention when he revealed he might need to retire due to impending hip resurfacing surgical procedure, which he thought would finish his profession.
5 and a half years later, and after squeezing each final drop out of his comeback, Murray was lastly content material to name it a day.
“It has been actually onerous. Bodily, pain-wise, I really feel dangerous,” he stated.
“Bodily, I can clearly go on the courtroom and carry out at a stage that is aggressive.
“We had been near getting within the medal rounds right here. That is OK however the ache and discomfort in my physique is just not good and that is additionally why I am comfortable to be ending.
“If I stored going and stored making an attempt, ultimately you find yourself having an harm doubtlessly ending your profession.
“I do know that now’s the suitable time and bodily.”
After the preliminary tears at Roland Garros had dried, a contemplative Murray revealed how robust the ultimate few months had been for him.
An ankle harm in March disrupted what was already deliberate to be his remaining season and when he did handle to race again, his participation in an emotional goodbye to Wimbledon got here below risk as he wanted again surgical procedure to take away a cyst.
Murray had lengthy conceded he was unlikely to have a “good ending” however admitted he “fast-tracked his rehab” so as to play on the Olympics.
“I’m glad I obtained to exit right here and end on my phrases,” he stated.
“At occasions in the previous couple of years, that wasn’t a certainty.
“And even once I first went to have my scan on my again, the difficulty that I had with it, I used to be instructed that I wouldn’t be taking part in on the Olympics and I wouldn’t be taking part in at Wimbledon.
“So I really feel fortunate I obtained that chance to play right here and have some nice matches and create superb reminiscences.”
Murray means lots of various things to lots of people who do not even know him: Sporting icon who has taken British tennis to new heights; advocate for gender equality in a male-dominated sport; all-round respectable man with acerbically dry humour.
The droll aspect of his character got here out once more shortly after he had completed chatting with the media.
“By no means even appreciated tennis anyway,” he wrote on social media. The bio on his X account had additionally been modified from ‘I play tennis’ to ‘I performed tennis’.
Some beloved him. Some by no means obtained him however had been ultimately gained spherical. Some have by no means obtained him in any respect.
“He’s a category act and has been for years for British tennis and world tennis,” stated Evans.
“He has spoken up on issues different individuals would not discuss. He is a great man.”