Wimbledon: Want to play forever, says tearful Andy Murray

LONDON: Time stood still for a moment at this south-west London suburb. The air was rich with applause and appreciation that echoed across the sporting landscape.
The light had faded, and darkness was dropping down like a veil on Church Road. It was not quite the end, but we were almost there.
Andy Murray and his brother Jamie were beaten 6-7 (6-8), 4-6 by the Australian duo Rinky Hijikata and John Peers in the first round of the men's doubles in what is the 37-year-old's farewell Wimbledon.The two-time champion is recovering from back surgery that forced him out of the singles draw, but he still has mixed-doubles, where he'll partner compatriot Emma Raducanu.
Murray, a 11-time major finalist, whose list of injuries and surgeries reads like an inventory of treatments available at a specialty clinic, has endured wrist (2007), back 2013 and 2024 and hip surgeries in 2018 and 2019 in a heavily punctuated career.
The former No.1 will play the Olympics at Roland Garros later this month in a final act of 'the spirit is willing, but the body is breaking' performance.
"Obviously I want to play forever, but I can't," an emotional Murray told Centre Court and a drunk-on-love Murray Mound. "I love this sport…'
The All-England Club persuaded Sue Barker out of retirement to interview Murray on the occasion. A montage also featuring his greatest rivals - Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic - reminded Murray of his legend.
"You were never alone,' Federer told the three-time major champion, "Because while you carried your own dreams, you also carried theirs."
At the end of the evening when Murray walked out on the Champion's Walk, a tradition generally reserved for the winner of The Championships, hundreds roared in approval.
"The video was nice, but hard as well, for me," Murray said, "because you know it's coming to the end of something that you've absolutely loved doing for such a long time."
Murray, who in the summer of 2013 became the first British man to win Wimbledon in 77-years, refused to talk about his legacy.
"There are things in my career that I'm proud of," he said, offering a personal take. "Regardless of the highs and lows, whether it was winning tournaments, having difficult losses, an operation, a setback, I was able to come back to work with the same dedication, work ethic, and passion. I was not perfect by any stretch, but I always came to work and gave my best effort."