"An absolute legend in every sense of the word."

"... An honor to compete against you ..."

"Nobody quite like you."

Love for Andy Murray poured in from current and former colleagues as the former world No. 1's final Wimbledon got underway in earnest on Thursday.

While the 7-6(6), 6-4 defeat for Murray alongside his brother Jamie Murray in the opening round of men's doubles wasn't the last match of the Scot's career at SW19 (he's entered in mixed doubles with Emma Raducanu), the festivities that followed it were certainly fitting of a farewell.

Read more: All the feels! Sophia, Edie Murray watch dad Andy in farewell Wimbledon with uncle Jamie

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Sue Barker, who retired from her post as the tournament's longtime presenter after the 2022 tournament, was brought out of retirement to emcee the post-match celebration, which was anchored by a video tribute from Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Venus Williams and an emotional speech from the man of the hour himself.

Other active and past major champions, including Novak Djokovic, Lleyton Hewitt, Conchita Martinez, Martina Navratilova and Iga Swiatek, also gathered on Centre Court to celebrate Murray. So did some of his fellow Brits: Jack Draper, Cameron Norrie and Dan Evans, as well as Holger Rune.

"It was obviously really nice that a lot of the players stayed," Murray said afterwards. "I mean, obviously have very close, good relationships with the British guys that were there, but there's also a number of players there on that court that I have enormous respect for, some of the greatest players in the history of the game and stuff.

"It was really nice that they stuck behind because we did finish quite late. I know some of them have had matches today. They might want to get themselves off to bed and recovering. It was really nice that they stayed around."

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In addition to his Hall of Fame-caliber achievements, Murray's steadfast commitment to being an ally for women and women's tennis was also highlighted, in particular by Williams (who so famously fought to secure equal prize money for WTA players at Wimbledon and elsewhere) in the video.

"We couldn't wish for better support for women's tennis," Swiatek later wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "Thank you for everything, it was a privilege to stand on Centre Court tonight. Congratulations on your amazing career. You are amazing."

See more messages from Murray's fellow players in the posts below.

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