ONE MURR TIME
Andy Murray lined up for shock Wimbledon comeback next year… but all is not as it seems
A former Wimbledon champion has opened the door to playing with Murray next year
ANDY MURRAY has been invited back to Wimbledon in 2025 to play a match of doubles.
The Scotsman, 37, was given an emotional Centre Court send-off last week as he called time on his Wimbledon career after 19 years.
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The two-time champion will finish the sport for good after playing in Team GB colours at the Paris Olympics at Roland Garros.
One of the best moments of his life came in June 2019 when, five months after hip resurfacing surgery, he won the Queen’s doubles title with close pal Feliciano Lopez.
And the Spaniard, 42, would love to play with Murray in the gentlemen’s invitation doubles round-robin ties on the SW19 grounds, which is for old-timers and retired folk.
In a direct message to the retiring ace, Lopez said: “Andy, I’m waiting for you for next year’s invitational. I hope this time you don’t say no. I’d love you to play with me.
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“I wanted to play some more doubles with him in the last three years after Queen’s but he was mainly focused on his singles career, he was going through a lot of injuries.
“Of course, we would’ve loved to play more doubles but it was just not possible so maybe next year I’ll play here with him?”
Lopez, who was the individual Queen’s champion five years ago, feels that Murray’s decision to play at Olympic level in the French capital – he has entered the singles and doubles competitions – is a fitting way to end.
The former world No12 said: “It’s great to finish your career at the Olympic Games. Andy, he’s a two-time gold medallist.
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“What makes him a good double partner? I mean it’s his understanding of the game, he reads the game I think faster than myself and I think the majority of the players.
“He’s very smart, he reads the game very well and he’s a great doubles partner of course.”
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Former Wimbledon champion Ash Barty has also opened the door to playing with Murray next year.
The retired Aussie, 28, has returned to the All England Club this year to play in the invitational doubles alongside close pal Casey Dellacqua.
Murray asked Barty to play with him in the mixed doubles event five years ago, only to enter with Serena Williams instead after being turned down.
Quizzed by the about the experience, Barty said: "I would have loved to play mixed doubles with Andy, but singles were my focus and I had already entered ladies doubles as well.
"I’m not sure my body would have coped with mixed doubles too."
Barty then teased: "Maybe Andy will play in the invitational with me here next year?!"
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