How Andy Murray spent the hours after his tennis career ended: British star’s doubles partner DAN EVANS reveals what happened next following defeat at Paris Olympics

 

Dan Evans partnered Andy Murray in the last match of the Scot’s glittering career as they lost to Team USA in the men’s doubles at Paris 2024 on Thursday

It was a strange feeling in the locker room with Andy Murray on Thursday night. I had a tear in my eye because he’s a good friend of mine and it was sad to say goodbye.

 

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It always takes Andy a little bit longer to get down to the showers because he has so many interview requests, so myself, my wife and his mum were waiting a while for him to get off the court.

 

It’s not Andy’s style to have too much fanfare, so there were no champagne corks popping. We just gave him a big clap, had a few team photographs and cracked open a bottle of coke.

 

 

The physio came over to treat him and Andy started joking around. ‘You don’t get to touch me anymore Shane… it’s over,’ he said with his typically dry humour. There was a lot of laughter and that was nice to see.

 

For a while now, Andy’s been at peace with the fact this is the end. He was more unhappy about losing the match than the fact it was his last time on court. As a mate, it was nice to see that he’s in a good place and ready for the next step.

 

Dan Evans (right) partnered Andy Murray (left) in the last match of the Scot’s career this week

Dan Evans (right) partnered Andy Murray (left) in the last match of the Scot’s career this week

Murray, 37, bowed out at Roland Garros as he and Evans lost to Tommy Paul and Taylor Fritz

Murray, 37, bowed out at Roland Garros as he and Evans lost to Tommy Paul and Taylor Fritz

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We’ve felt so much love during our 10 days in Paris and it was one of the greatest experiences of my life. Winning our second match against the Belgians, pulling it back in the super tie break… I don’t think I’ll ever get that feeling again.

 

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I was numb when I went to shake hands, I couldn’t feel my legs. It was the sort of excitement you feel as a child.

 

After losing to the Americans on Thursday, we jumped in a car back to the Athletes’ Village. I just felt emotionally spent. Doubles is very alien to both of us but we just kept finding a way to win. At a set and 4-1 down, it was the first time I’ve ever had a jovial conversation with Andy on a tennis court. I said, ‘It would be mad if we pull this one back’. He just laughed and said ‘Come on, let’s just enjoy this now’.

 

Tennis went out the window and it just felt like two mates playing for the love of it. We stopped talking tactics and gave it our best shot. We didn’t go out quietly and I’m proud of that.

 

Attitude and work ethic can get you a long way and I think our run epitomised that. Andy could do everything — a great serve, a world-class volley — but he was always gutsy. His game plan was his court craft and when people told him to do things differently he always stuck to his guns.

 

Tears were shed by both Murray and Evans as they shared a post-match hug at Roland Garros

Tears were shed by both Murray and Evans as they shared a post-match hug at Roland Garros

An emotional Murray pictured waving as he left court following the final match of his career

An emotional Murray pictured waving as he left court following the final match of his career

Sharing those emotions with Andy is something I never thought would happen. We were walking out to the car from the locker room and I just said, ‘F****** hell, this is a different feeling to the last one’.

 

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I just had nothing left, physically and emotionally. It wasn’t our best match but we fought until the very last point so we can’t have too many regrets.

 

Back at the Village, we shared a pizza before we went to bed. That was it. No giant party.

 

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I still felt pretty flat at breakfast but Andy was just talking about what we could have done differently in the match. You won’t meet anyone who loves tennis as much as he does.

 

All the athletes got a message to meet downstairs in the Team GB lodge at 11.15am on Friday and there were a few speeches. Adam Peaty was there wearing a Covid mask and he was asked to present Andy with a commemorative silver pin badge for competing at five Olympics.

 

Despite losing on Thursday, Murray and Evans still produced some moments of magic in Paris

Despite losing on Thursday, Murray and Evans still produced some moments of magic in Paris

Murray waved goodbye to tennis at Roland Garros with the five Olympic rings behind him

Murray waved goodbye to tennis at Roland Garros with the five Olympic rings behind him

It was a lovely moment and I’m sure the badge will go well with the 60 or 70 others that he’s collected over the past week!

 

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We had a bit of a heart-to-heart about what’s next. Plenty of people will be coming up to him over the next few days, telling him what a great career he’s had. I’m not sure how much he’ll enjoy that! It’s going to be a pretty strange feeling for him.

 

Before we went our separate ways, we talked about going home and stepping back into the real world. For me, that’s a bit of recovery after I rolled my ankle, before I think about the US Open in a few weeks and the Davis Cup.

 

For Andy, it’s time to look after No 1. I think he will make a good coach one day but not just yet. He’s been carrying the nation’s hopes on his shoulders for years and now is his time to rest, play some golf and look after his family. He always FaceTimes his kids but now he can actually be a full-time dad.

 

Now British tennis has some big shoes to fill. Andy did what others couldn’t. He broke into the big three and became a figurehead for British sport. He spoke up for people who didn’t have a voice and wasn’t afraid of stepping into uncomfortable situations. He stood up for equal pay and challenged people who others were afraid of, on and off the court.

 

Murray won three Grand Slam singles titles during his career, including Wimbledon twice

Murray won three Grand Slam singles titles during his career, including Wimbledon twice

 

He has a big heart and I’m proud to have been there with him when it all came to an end.

 

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We had a hug on Friday and I set off to the airport after lunch, catching a flight back to Birmingham. These past 10 days have felt like a bit of a dream and it’s something I’ll never forget.

 

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Andy Murray

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