Jamie Murray, the trailblazing British doubles star who shattered records and became his nation's first world number one in the discipline, has announced his retirement from professional tennis at age 40.
The seven-time Grand Slam champion, who last competed at the 2023 US Open, shared the news on social media, writing: "My tennis journey comes to an end after 36 years. I feel very fortunate and privileged for all the amazing experiences this great sport has given me."
Murray's career spanned two decades at the sport's highest level, during which he collected 34 doubles titles and established himself as Britain's most successful doubles player of the Open Era. His signature volleying skills and creative net play became hallmarks of his game, while his unorthodox returns—including his trademark lobbed service return—consistently unsettled opponents.
"I played for 20 years at the top level and feel privileged for what I was able to do and experience on the court—I don't have any regrets," Murray told BBC Sport. "I had a lot of amazing opportunities and now it's on to something new."
Perhaps his most memorable achievement came alongside younger brother Andy, as the siblings teamed up to lead Great Britain to its first Davis Cup victory in 79 years in 2015. Their quarter-final performance against France at Queen's Club, followed by a grueling five-set semi-final against Australia and the championship-clinching match in Ghent, became instant national sporting lore.
"To have two brothers that got to number one in the world respectively in their disciplines at the same time is wild—it was very unique," Murray reflected. "I've lived in his shadow for the whole career, which didn't bother me—I had a good career and he was having a great career."
The Murray brothers' relationship extended beyond the court, with childhood wrestling matches featuring their favorite WWE stars evolving into a professional partnership that occasionally included tense moments. Andy once recalled Jamie punching him so hard after a junior tournament loss that he lost a fingernail, while Jamie slept through an alarm at the 2014 Australian Open, resulting in serious heatstroke.
Despite these incidents, their mutual support remained evident. Andy appeared in Jamie's coaching box at 1:00 AM during the 2016 Australian Open to photograph his brother's first men's doubles Grand Slam title—just 18 hours before Andy's own singles final against Novak Djokovic.
Murray also became a vocal advocate for doubles tennis throughout his career, consistently arguing for greater recognition of the discipline. "Doubles has its place in the game—it's not the golden ticket that singles is, but it's undervalued by the tour," he stated. "As these events go longer and longer they need content, and doubles supports that."
His retirement marks the end of an era for British tennis, with Andy Murray paying tribute in a video message: "Jamie, I'm not sure what I loved more when we were kids, being on court with you or winding you up. But I know the way we pushed each other helped us both go as far as we did."
Britain's Davis Cup captain Leon Smith added: "Jamie's been an unbelievable player representing Great Britain on the world stage over his career. He's positively impacted the game of doubles in this country and globally."
Murray leaves the sport with 589 wins from 1,019 ATP Tour matches, five mixed doubles titles (including two Wimbledon victories), and the distinction of having won more Grand Slam and tour doubles titles than any other British player in the Open Era. As he transitions to retirement, he hinted at a new rivalry developing—this time on the golf course with his brother.