Enjoy your retirement, fans tell Andy Murray amid Wimbledon disappointment

Fans of Andy Murray told him to “enjoy” his retirement as they expressed disappointment that they did not see him play his final singles match at Wimbledon.

The two-time champion withdrew from the singles event of the tennis tournament at the last minute on Tuesday after struggling to recover from back surgery.

Ewan Hughes, 26, from Coventry, said he had tickets to see Murray play on Centre Court and was looking forward to seeing him play again.

“I was looking forward to it, I’ve seen him win Wimbledon twice,” he said.

“It would have been good to go and see him.”

He added that he must be “the best” British player in modern history.

When asked if he had a message for Murray, he said: “You’ve had a great career, just enjoy your retirement, mate.”

Peter Pilides said it was “a bit unfair” that Murray waited so long to withdraw.

He had bought tickets for Centre Court especially to see the Scotsman.

“Well, it’s actually a bit sad,” he said.

“We had tickets for Centre Court. We all love him. He carried the flag for us.

“But we wish him the best and we’ll see him in the doubles, I think.

Adam Fiske, from the Isle of Wight, said it was a “shame” Murray cannot play.

“It’s a shame he couldn’t finish his last singles match on Centre Court,” he said.

“Hopefully he can push through (in doubles) and play his last match on Centre Court.”

“Even though he’s Scottish, it’s still nice to see him.”

Roxanne Hargreaves, from south-east London, said she was “sad” when she heard Murray would not be playing.

“I honestly feel a little sad,” the 37-year-old said.

“When he retires, if I were him, I would want one last chance at Wimbledon, on your home turf.”

She said her favorite Murray moment came in 2017, when he corrected a reporter who had said Sam Querrey was the first American player to reach the semifinals of a major tournament since 2009.

Ms Hargreaves said she became a fan of Murray as a result, as she pointed out some of the “massive sexist statements”.

Holly Underwood, 37, from Crystal Palace in south-east London, said she thought it was “madness” that Murray had even considered playing given his injury.

“He couldn’t feel his leg anymore, the nerve was damaged,” she said.

“I’m sorry, you’ve been a tennis player for so long, but you have your whole life ahead of you, you can’t put yourself in crippling pain.”