Back to the future: Murray's apt finale and Nadal and Djokovic's 60th dustup

07/26/2024 08:48 AM

Andy Murray waves farewell at the launching pad of his career while old foes could meet again in the second round

As Andy Murray spoke in the immediate aftermath of the most painful moment of his career, his defeat to Roger Federer in the 2012 Wimbledon final, the tears came quickly. He had been so close to winning his first grand slam, yet it also felt as far away as ever. While his legendary contemporaries were racking up major titles, he just could not figure out how to let go of his inhibitions and get over the line. He had lost all four grand slam finals he had contested, while winning only one set.

But the summer of 2012 was like no other. Three weeks after the players had departed the All England Club, they had returned. The plain green backboards had been replaced by a loud, bright purple, and instead of the traditional all-white attire, matches across the grounds were a technicolour vision. The London 2012 Olympic tennis event at Wimbledon had begun.