Honestly, it’s been a minute since we saw Andy Murray gritting his teeth on Center Court. It's now 2026, and the dust has finally settled on one of the most polarizing, exhausting, and ultimately heroic careers in the history of the sport. People still argue about where he fits. Was he part of a "Big Four," or just the best of the rest?
He retired after the Paris 2024 Olympics. It was the only way it could end, really—him on a court, fighting for every inch, probably muttering something sarcastic to his player box. But if you think he just vanished into a quiet life of luxury in Dunblane, you haven't been paying attention.
The Metal Hip and the Impossible Comeback
Most people remember the tears at the 2019 Australian Open. That "tribute" video felt like a funeral. Even his peers thought he was done. His hip wasn't just "sore"—it was bone-on-bone. Basically, the joint was trashed.
Then came the surgery. He didn't just get a standard replacement; he went for a Birmingham Hip Resurfacing. This involves a cobalt-chrome metal cap being placed over the femur. He became the first man to play high-level singles with a literal metal hip. Think about that. Most people get that surgery so they can walk to the shops without a limp. Murray used it to sprint for four hours against 20-year-olds.
It wasn't always pretty. He lost matches he "should" have won. He spent years hovering in the rankings, battling back from the 800s to the top 40. Critics called it a "sad" end. They were wrong. It was the ultimate flex of willpower.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Big Four
There’s this annoying narrative that Murray was "lucky" to be mentioned alongside Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic.
That’s nonsense.
Look at the numbers. He finished his career with 46 ATP titles. He won three Grand Slams and played in 11 finals. He’s the only player—man or woman—to win two Olympic singles gold medals. But the real stat? He beat the Big Three a combined 29 times. Nobody else even comes close to that.
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The guy was a tactical genius. He didn't have the "Fed" grace or the "Rafa" forehand. He had a backhand like a brick wall and a lob that could hit a coin from the baseline. He was the "Tactician." He made tennis a chess match played at 100 miles per hour.
The 2025 Coaching Experiment with Djokovic
If you want a real "did that actually happen?" moment, look at early 2025. Murray, barely six months into retirement, showed up in Novak Djokovic’s player box as a coach.
Talk about a plot twist.
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They grew up together. They played their first match as kids. They fought for the world number one spot in 2016 in one of the tensest year-end finals ever. And then, there they were, teaming up for the 2025 Australian Open. It only lasted one Slam—the partnership ended by May 2025—but it showed how much respect exists between those two. Murray admitted he "can't think of anything worse" than a full-time coaching grind right now, but for a few weeks, the tennis world was obsessed.
Life Beyond the Baseline
Since then, he's been... well, busy.
- Golf: He’s obsessed. He’s currently trying to get his handicap down to scratch. He even joked about being a professional caddie.
- The Theatre: He actually toured a live show called "Centre Stage" in late 2025. It wasn't some dry lecture; it was him being typically dry and funny about his career.
- Business: He’s an associate partner at Redrice Ventures now. He’s investing in padel (which is exploding in the UK) and tech brands.
- Cromlix: He still owns that massive Victorian hotel in Scotland.
Why We Miss Him
Tennis in 2026 is faster and more powerful. We have Alcaraz and Sinner. They’re amazing. But they don't quite have that "Murray-ness."
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We miss the drama. We miss the self-deprecating humor. We miss the guy who corrected a journalist for forgetting that female players had already achieved the stats he was being praised for. He was a champion for equality before it was a PR talking point.
What You Should Do Next
If you’re still feeling the Murray-shaped hole in your sports life, here’s how to stay connected to his legacy:
- Watch the "Resurfacing" Documentary: If you haven't seen it, it’s on Prime Video. It’s the rawest look at an athlete’s physical decline and mental grit you’ll ever see.
- Follow "Team AD/vantage": That’s his padel team. If you want to see where his competitive energy is going, that's the place.
- Check out the Cromlix: If you’re ever in Scotland, go see the hotel. It’s less "tennis museum" and more "exquisite country estate."
Andy Murray didn't just win trophies. He changed the culture of British sport. He took the weight of a 77-year curse at Wimbledon and carried it until it broke. Not bad for a kid from Dunblane with a bad hip.