British doubles tennis star Jamie Murray says he would like to team up with brother Andy Murray at Wimbledon before they retire, in an interview to The Herald Scotland. Murray says, “We don’t know what will happen with Andy’s hip but we hope he’s going to get back fit and healthy and get back on to the court.
I haven’t seen him for a while – this break will give us the chance to catch up – but I know he’s been practising which is good news. We’ve always said we wanted to play Wimbledon one time together before we stop and hopefully we’ll get that chance”.
34 year old Jamie says he has no plans to stop just yet and could well play into his 40s as long as he remains fit and is able to play the top tournaments. “I’d love to achieve a career Grand Slam before I stop.
I’m not thinking about the moment I have to stop and I don’t really want to. Older pros always say: ‘Play as long as you can’.
As long as I’m fit and healthy, as long as my ranking enables me to compete in the biggest tournaments in the world, as long I’m still enjoying tennis, I fully intend to.
Play into my 40s – why not? Touch wood, I haven’t had any of the big stuff. Once you stop, that’ll be that, won’t it? Recreating what tennis gives you someplace else – walking out on to the court in front of a big crowd, the energy you take from that and the drama and tension and excitement of a match as it unfolds – that’s going to be impossible, I realise that”.
Speaking about the recent investments by the Lawn Tennis Association in Scotland, Jamie welcomes the move. “Well, any additional investment that we receive as a tennis nation is good news. Do I wish it was more? Of course.
If I were the LTA and I was giving out this sum then I would want to make sure that who was getting the money would know how to spend it and what his plan was.
That’s how business works. Tennis in Scotland, growing the game here, is important to me and important to us as a family.
Because of what we’ve been able to achieve on the court – particularly Andy – there’s this amazing opportunity to leave a lasting impression, be that through more facilities, better coaching and just the chance to pick up a racket and play.
Jamie Murray and Andy Murray
If Andy and I were to stop tomorrow I don’t want this to feel like a massive wasted opportunity for the country”.
