Andy Murray Gets Emotional After Wimbledon Tribute: 'I Would Love to Keep Playing but I Can't'

"It is hard because I would love to keep playing but I can't," the tennis star told fans following his doubles match

Andy Murray is giving Wimbledon an emotional farewell.

On Thursday, July 4, Murray, 37, and his brother, Jamie, lost their men's double match on Centre Court at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, making one of the tennis champion's final matches at Wimbledon.

Following Thursday's match, the Olympics gold medalist — who is set to retire after this season — became visibly emotional during the post-match interview, which was preceded by a tribute featuring highlights from his career and time at Wimbledon tournament.

Afterward, during an interview with British journalist Sue Barker in front of fans and his family, Murray spoke about key moments from his tennis career, along with his thoughts on his pending retirement.

"It is hard because I would love to keep playing but I can't," he told Barker about saying goodbye to the sport. "Physically it's just too tough now. All of the injuries have added up and like I said they haven't been insignificant."

Related: Andy Murray Hints at Possible Retirement from Tennis: ‘I Probably Don’t Have Too Long Left’

"I want to play forever. I love this sport," he continued. "It's given me so much, taught me loads of lessons over the years that I can use for the rest of my life. I don't want to stop so it is hard."

Murray, who has been a fixture at Wimbledon for almost two decades, has experienced health issues in the past few years, including the removal of a cyst on his spine that took place on June 22, ESPN reported.

He initially told reporters that he was optimistic he would still be able to compete this summer following the procedure to close out his career. “I’m hoping that, with each day that passes, the likelihood of me being able to play will increase," he told reporters, per the Associated Press.

"I mean, it’s impossible for me to say, because I also want to go out there and be able to play to a level that I’m happy with," the two-time Wimbledon champion continued.

Related: All About the Royal Box at Wimbledon, Including Who Gets to Sit in the Coveted Seats

His latest injury, however, forced him to withdraw from this year's men's singles tournament on Tuesday, just hours before he was slated to play in the opening round. The decision came after weeks of Murray openly discussing the difficult decision of whether to play at Wimbledon, which he said would be his last Grand Slam tournament.

“As you can imagine, he is extremely disappointed,” Murray’s representatives told the Associated Press about his decision to not play.

During his post-match interview on Thursday, three-time grand slam champion also gave a special shoutout to members of his family, who were in the stands. “Mum and dad were amazing support when we were little in allowing us to pursue our dreams […] Thank you, mum and dad,” he said.

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Murray, who began playing tennis at three years old, also praised his wife, Kim Sears. “She has been an amazing support to me, to my whole family, she is the best mum," he said. "Unfortunately, in a couple of months, she’s going to have to see me every day," he joked about him being home more post retirement. "I’m looking forward to the rest of our lives.”

While his attempt at taking the the men's singles and the men's doubles championships at Wimbledon have ended early, Murray is slated to play mixed doubles with Emma Raducanu on Saturday, July 6.

Throughout his career, Murray has won 46 titles, including three Grand Slams, 14 Masters and two Olympic gold medals. He was the Wimbledon Men's champion in 2013 and 2016. He was ranked the world's best tennis player in 2016 and was knighted by the late Queen Elizabeth II.

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