The Wimbledon crowd on Thursday roared with a bittersweet sentiment as two-time champion Andy Murray started to bid farewell to the tournament he has called a second home. Although the result was not very welcome—levelling a first-round defeat in doubles with his brother Jamie—the day was a celebration of a wonderful display of talent and mark Murray leaving Wimbledon.

Murray’s tearful goodbye at Wimbledon was a biting reminder of his legacy. His eyes welled up with tears as a testimony for the perfect, packed passion thrown into Centre Court over more than a decade. Fans, realizing this might be their last opportunity to witness him play at Wimbledon, gave him a standing ovation, with their “Come on Andy!” chants echoing around the stadium.

The match itself was a tightly hard-fought match over the Australian pair of John Peers and Rinky Hijikata. The occasion overshadowed the match itself. The final scoreline was 7-6 (8-6), 6-4 for the Australians—on the court, though, the real win for Murray, and the memories he hands over to Wimbledon history.

This was no ordinary first-round doubles match. It was history: the first men’s doubles opener on Centre Court in almost 30 years. The significance of the moment was not lost on the crowd, who lapped up the sight of being able to see Murray on the most famous stage in tennis, even if it was not in a singles capacity.

The farewell moment at Wimbledon was almost as teary for Andy Murray—a reflection, he said, of “I wish I could play forever.” The way this man has shown grit, determination, and sheer brilliance on court throughout his career made him a real champion and an inspirational source for generations of players.

And here are his crowning glories

His 2013 triumph of Novak Djokovic, being the first British man’s champion in 77 years, probably second to none but Sir Andy Murray. The great resilience in the game returned on Centre Court even after surgery: a tribute to his unbending fighting spirit.

Yet Murray’s farewell was not to revisit glories of past Wimbledon tournaments. It was more of a farewell into the future. It remains a symbolic passing of the baton that his combination with Emma Raducanu to play the mixed doubles event holds; the enthusiasm in the air for Murray’s leadership and experience, with Raducanu’s youthful personality, makes for an enticing partnership likely to be much envisaged to take the title.

Wimbledon bade the legend goodbye, but the legacy of Murray shall be continued to be inspired. Be it his never-say-die attitude, tactical brilliance, or fierce love for the sport, Murray is more than just a hoarder of silverware. Markedly, Murray goes to his defeat in the doubles, leaving Wimbledon in celebration as a champion, breaking mountain high Wimbledon history.

Beyond the Centre Court and Wimbledon

Murray’s influence extends far beyond the manicured lawns at Wimbledon. He has been among the very vocal voices to campaign for gender equality in tennis, like being a supporter for equivalent prize funds to be doled out. In any case, Murray’s commitment to his game and to sportsmanship is an inspiration to all budding sportsmen in the world.

A Legacy of Grass Court Greatness

Murray’s fierce grasscourt dominance, especially at Wimbledon, has placed him in the brackets of all-time greats in this sport. His five finals, together with his two Wimbledon titles, are evidence of how supreme his talent was on this surface. His ultra-aggressive baseline game and exemplary volleying skills made him quite a force to reckon with on grass.

A Farewell From Wimbledon That Is Not the End

Surely, with this, an era closes at Wimbledon, but not quite exactly yet complete is the farewell of Murray. He will be seen playing one last time, further on this month at the Paris Olympics, and after that, one may perhaps see his magic playing ever again. Wimbledon will always be very close to him, though, just as it is to the hearts of fans who watched an emotional champion’s farewell. The memories of his thunderous forehands, his electrifying rallies, and his warrior spirit will forever echo within the halls of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.