ANDY MURRAY’S wife Kim has recalled the first time she ever saw him play, after Murray brought an end to his spectacular career on Thursday.
Murray, 37, retired from professional tennis this week after a glittering career that saw him win three Olympic medals and three Grand Slams.
But way before he was at the very top of the tennis world, Murray was earning his stripes with his future wife Kim watching on from the stands.
Kim, 36, harked back to the first time she ever saw him play tennis in 2005, during an emotional video of tributes after the Scot drew the curtain on his career.
Speaking to the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), Kim said: “I first saw him play live at the US Open.
“His first match was against Andrei Pavel, it was a five set epic and he projectile vomited on court. Right in front of me!
“Which was an interesting start, but it was thankfully down the other end of the court and not directly in front of me.”
She joked: “I can’t believe I stuck around after that!”
That match took place almost 20 years ago with Murray ultimately beating Pavel 6-3 3-6 3-6 6-1 6-4 after an incredible effort.
His hard work finally paid off in the US Open in 2012 when he lifted the trophy in a near five-hour thriller against Novak Djokovic.
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS
While he added two Wimbledon successes to his Grand Slam collection in 2013 and 2016.
Kim has been by his side through it all with the pair tying the knot in 2015 and raising four children.
Now the happy couple will embark on a new era together, one without professional tennis as part of their lives.
Murray had decided to hang up his racquet at the end of the Olympic games this summer, and his Men’s Doubles exit on Thursday night made that decision a reality.
Murray and Team GB doubles partner Dan Evans were beaten in straight sets by Team USA duo Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul.
Muzza waved goodbye to the crowd inside the Stade Roland Garros after his exit, trying to keep in his emotions.
But after chanting of his name began from his adoring supporters, the tough Scot was reduced to tears on live TV.
He wasn’t the only one emotional either with partner Evans also welling up, while BBC Sport presenter Clare Balding was brought to tears too.
Speaking after calling time on his sensational career, Murray said: “I’m happy. It has been a good run here in my final tournament. It is not the perfect ending.
“It would have been amazing to have won a medal. We gave it a good go. I feel good.
SIR Andy Murray is Great Britain's most successful tennis player of the Open era.
After breaking through in 2005 to reach the Wimbledon third round at 18, the Scot was British No1 by the following year.
In 2008 he reached his first Grand Slam final at the US Open, only to fall to Roger Federer in straight sets.
Two more final defeats at the Australian Open to Federer and Novak Djokovic followed in 2010 and 2011 before heartbreak at Wimbledon in 2012.
Despite taking the first set against Federer, he fell 4-6 7-5 6-3 6-4 in front of a home crowd before breaking into tears on Centre Court.
But a month later on the same court he beat the Swiss legend to earn Team GB a gold medal at the London 2012 Olympics.
And weeks after that he broke his Grand Slam duck at the fifth attempt, beating Djokovic in five sets in the US Open final.
In 2013, following another Australian Open final loss, Murray beat Djokovic in straight sets to become the first British man in 77 years to win the Wimbledon title.
Three more losing Grand Slam finals followed, at the 2015 and 2016 Australian Opens and the 2016 French Open.
But in his third Grand Slam final of 2016, Murray won Wimbledon again with a straight sets victory over Canadian Milos Raonic.
He followed it up with his second Olympic gold medal, beating Juan Martin del Potro in a four-hour epic in the final in Rio de Janeiro.
Later in 2016 Murray became world No1 – the first British man to do so in history.
Over his career Murray reached 11 Grand Slam finals, winning three. He won two Olympic golds and a silver (in the mixed doubles alongside Laura Robson).
He finishes his career with 46 titles and over £50million in earnings, making him the fourth all-time leader in earnings.
His final match was at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where he lost in the quarter-final of the men’s doubles at Roland Garros to USA pair Tommy Paul and Taylor Fritz.
“I knew the end was coming for the last few months. I was ready for it. I was emotional because it’s the last time I will play a competitive match.
“I am genuinely happy just now. I am happy with how it has finished. I am glad I got to finish at the Olympics on my terms.
“In times in the last few years that wasn’t a certainty.
“Even a few months ago, I was told when I first had a scan on my back, I wouldn’t be playing Wimbledon or the Olympics.
“I feel also lucky that I got that opportunity to play here and have great matches, amazing memories.”
Murray previously claimed medal glory three times at the Olympics.
The first came at home in London 2012, when he won gold in the men’s singles event and scooped a silver in mixed doubles alongside Laura Robson.
He then successfully defended his title at the Rio Games four years later, making him the first male player to win two Olympic singles titles.
