“He’s the biggest fighter” – Boulter on an era of inspiration defined by Andy Murray

The Briton spoke passionately about Murray’s impact on tennis in the UK and why she believes the three-time Grand Slam champion will bow out on his owns terms

Andy Murray waves goodbye at 2024 Dubai Open Imago / Panoramic

Jamie Malachy

February 29, 2024

Cymbiotika San Diego Open •Round of 16 • completed

See draw

K. BoultervsB. Haddad Maia

Like most players of a certain age and below, particularly in the UK, Katie Boulter has grown up watching Andy Murray play tennis.

As a fellow British No 1, and having come through the Lawn Tennis Association’s grass routes via a similar path, few others will share quite the same appreciation for what the Scot has given to the sport as Boulter.

While players far and wide frequently cite Murray as one of their greatest inspirations from when they were young, Boulter – as almost everyone within the British tennis community – will understand on a profoundly personal level just what a monumental figure he has been.

Boulter was16 years old when Murray broke one of the biggest hoodoos in British sport by becoming the first homegrown male player to win the Wimbledon singles title since Fred Perry in 1936.

Add to that Murray’s record-breaking back-to-back Olympic gold medals, leading Great Britain to a first Davis Cup title in 79 years and then, just for good measure, winning Wimbledon for a second time – all before Boulter turned 20.

“He’s inspired a lot of players, especially in our country, definitely myself,” Boulter said of the Scot, speaking to San Diego Open Press after her impressive second-round win over Beatriz Haddad Maia.

retirement, when it comes, will be on murray’s terms

What most defines Murray and his success has been his indomitable spirit on court, proving time and again to be the comeback king, leaving a legacy of never giving up and fighting until the very last point – something that feels particularly pertinent right now.

“He’s the biggest fighter, the biggest lover of tennis, his attributes.. I could go on for a very long time,” she continued.

“I just love seeing him out there. Even the fact that he’s out there now and he’s still going. I think as long as he’s enjoying himself and getting what he wants out of the sport, that’s the most important thing.

“When he retires, I think that’s on his terms and what he really wants to do. I can speak for a lot of people when they say they’ve loved watching him play.. I certainly have.”

While the tennis world braces for another painful high-profile retirement, British tennis prepares to mark the end of a landmark era that defied history books and erased the chapters of heartache that had been the narrative of the Wimbledon Championships for decades.

Boulter perhaps said it best with her opening line when asked about Murray’s impending exit from the sport.

“Andy Murray is Andy Murray.”

He will prove impossible to replace.