Andy and Jamie Murray spent their formative childhood years playing tennis at their local tennis club in Dunblane, where their mother, Judy, was the club coach.
The fact that the younger Murray brother was able to take to the court in any form on Thursday, 12 days after he underwent back surgery, was a minor miracle in itself. Andy’s preparations for his final Wimbledon were scuppered by pain in his back and right leg that forced the 37-year-old to retire from his singles match at Queen’s.Photograph: Hannah McKay/Reuters
Although Andy started solidly, serving well in their opening service game, he also provided an immediate reminder of his current frailty. At 1-1, Andy lunged at a ball and pulled up holding his back. Andy would spend much of the match feeling out his back and his movement was extremely restricted but he continued to work with what he had against formidable opponents in Peers and Hijikata, both former Australian Open doubles champions with different partners.