On Thursday night, the mood in the locker room was oddly quiet. Andy Murray, a good friend and a tennis legend, was wrapping up what would be his final appearance on court.

I couldn’t help but feel a tear well up as we prepared to say goodbye.

Andy’s routine involves a lot of media attention, so he was delayed heading to the showers. While my wife, Andy’s mum, and I waited for him to finish his interviews, we took the time to reflect on the moment.

True to Andy’s style, there were no grand celebrations or popping champagne. We kept it simple—a round of applause, a few team photos, and a chilled bottle of Coke.

When the physio came over to give Andy his final treatment, he joked, “You don’t get to touch me anymore, Shane… it’s over,” with his signature dry wit. It was heartening to see him in such high spirits.

Andy has been mentally preparing for this moment for a while now.

Surprisingly, he seemed more distressed about losing the match than about the end of his career.

As a friend, it was comforting to see him ready to move on to the next chapter of his life.

Our 10 days in Paris were filled with incredible experiences, none more memorable than our thrilling win against the Belgians. That comeback in the super tie-break is a feeling I don’t think I’ll ever replicate.

After losing to the Americans on Thursday, we made the trip back to the Athletes’ Village. I felt emotionally drained, and tennis had become somewhat secondary.

At one point, while we were down a set and 4-1, I had a rare, jovial conversation with Andy on court. I said, “It would be crazy if we pull this one back.” He laughed and replied, “Come on, let’s just enjoy this now.”

We stopped focusing on tactics and played for the sheer joy of it. Even though we didn’t win, I’m proud of the way we fought until the end.

A Fitting Tribute

Our run through the tournament was a testament to attitude and perseverance.

Andy could do everything—serve well, volley like a pro—but it was his tenacity and commitment to his game plan that truly set him apart.

Sharing this journey with Andy was something I never imagined. As we left the locker room, I remarked on how different this goodbye felt compared to our previous ones.

I was physically and emotionally spent, but we had given it our all, which is something we can be proud of.

Quiet Reflections

Back at the Village, we kept things low-key, sharing a pizza before heading to bed.

No grand parties, just a quiet evening. At breakfast the next day, Andy was already analyzing what could have been done better in the match.

His love for tennis is unmatched.

Later, Team GB gathered for a small ceremony where Adam Peaty, donning a Covid mask, presented Andy with a commemorative silver pin for competing in five Olympics.

It was a touching moment, and I’m sure the pin will add to his already impressive collection.

Looking Ahead

Before we parted ways, we talked about what’s next.

For me, it’s about recovering from a rolled ankle and gearing up for the US Open and the Davis Cup.

For Andy, it’s time to focus on his family and enjoy some well-deserved rest. He’s been a pillar of British tennis and will eventually make a great coach, but for now, he’ll savor being a full-time dad.

Andy has set a high bar for British tennis, breaking into the big three and championing causes like equal pay. He’s been a powerful voice and a courageous figure, on and off the court.

I’m honored to have been there with him as his career came to a close. We shared a heartfelt hug on Friday before I headed to the airport for my flight back to Birmingham.

These past 10 days felt like a dream—an unforgettable experience that I’ll always treasure.

TDPel Media

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