Hibs-daft multiple grand slam-winning tennis star calls time on career after over two decades on the court
The British doubles legend has been a lifelong supporter of the Hibees
Hibs-supporting doubles star, Jamie Murray has decided to call time on his tennis career after 22 years playing professionally.
The 40-year older brother of Scottish sporting icon Andy Murray, enjoyed doubles and mixed doubles success throughout his career, winning a total of seven Grand Slam tournament titles and featuring in over 1,000 matches. He was also part of the heroic British Davis Cup-winning side in 2015, breaking a 79-year curse. He’s now decided to call time on his illustrious career.
Despite his busy schedule on the tour, he always kept an keen eye on the Hibees. Growing up in Dunblane, Murray was a massive fan of Hibs through his maternal grandfather, Roy Erskine, who played at Easter Road during the ‘famous five’ era. In 2013, he became a patron of the Hibs Community Foundation, the official registered charity of the club. Over the years, he’s attended matches whenever possible, having supported Hibs for as long as he can remember.
On the court, the Scotsman was a warrior, who became the first ever British player to become doubles World Number one, while his brother simultaneously reached the same feat in the singles rankings. As father time catches up with him, he’s looking ahead to his next chapter and will now take up the role of tournament director at the Queens Club Championships.
Murray calls time on career after two decades
Upon the announcement of his retirement he said via Instagram: "My tennis journey comes to an end after 36 years. I feel very fortunate and privileged for all the amazing experiences this great sport has given me. Thanks Mum, Dad, Andy, Ale, Alan, Louis and Thomas for all your incredible support, efforts and sacrifices throughout my career that allowed me to achieve everything I could in the game. For everybody else that's helped and supported me - I appreciate all of you!"
Meanwhile, two-time Wimbledon champion little brother, Andy also paid tribute: "Jamie, I'm not sure what I loved more when we were kids. Being on court with you or winding you up, but I know the way we pushed each other helped us go as far as we did. You were the first to win a Wimbledon title. The first British player to reach world No1 since the 70s. Seven Grand Slams, 39 titles.
“It meant everything to share that with you and now it's your turn to call it a day. I know you're ready. I just hope you know how proud we all are of you. Jamie Murray. Grand Slam champion. Davis Cup winner. Olympian. World No 1. Partner. Brother. Very average golfer. Enjoy retirement from your No 1 fan, Andy."
Murray’s love for Hibs and Scottish Cup anecdote
Erskine, who sadly passed away in January this year, played matches for Hibs during the 1950s, behind the iconic forward line of Gordon Smith, Lawrie Reilly, Eddie Turnbull, Bobby Johnstone and Willie Ormond. Erskine’s connection with the Leith side began a family trend of Hibs supporters which infatuated Jamie from a young age. At just five years old, he attended the 1991 League Cup final at Hampden when Hibs defeated Dunfermline Athletic 2-0.
For Hibs’ most recent cup success, Murray was unable to attend the famous match against Rangers in 2016 which broke the 114-year Scottish Cup hoodoo. Instead he had matters to attend to at Roland Garros for the French Open, but he was over the moon to hear the final score. He subsequently told the story of how he found out: “I was on court practising at the French Open and was following it on my phone when we were taking water breaks. I knew it was 2-2 and then one of the Scottish journalists came trudging over and I was like ‘Stu, Stu, what’s the score?’
“He was like, ‘what you don’t know? It’s 3-2 to Hibs, they scored in the last minute’. I couldn’t believe it. I was like no way, because it’s Hibs, we always guff it before we get to Hampden or whatever, there’s been so many bad experiences over the years. But to finally do it. I would love to have been there, a lot of my family were. But I would rather have missed the game and Hibs won than be there and potentially lose.”