It might have been Andy Murray’s Last Dance in his homeland but Scotland’s favourite sporting son has admitted there could yet be an encore. Within minutes of his 6-4, 6-3 victory over Kazakhstan’s Dmitri Popko at the Emirates Arena on Sunday, the former world No 1 confessed to feeling emotional over the prospect of this dead rubber of a Davis Cup tie perhaps bringing down the curtain on his playing career, as far as playing on home soil is concerned.
But with Murray, nobody knows. If he doesn’t know, how can anyone else? Around 7,000 turned up in Glasgow to pay homage to their hero and the 35-year-old admitted he was bowled over by their reaction – and emotion threatened to overcome him as he closed out the straight sets victory.
“It was brilliant,” he said. “They did an amazing job today – it was the fullest it had been all week. I’m glad I was able to get out there and play in front of them. Maybe that’s the last time I play here or get to play for Britain in front of a crowd like that.
“So, I’m glad I got out there and played today. They did make it special. If it is the last time, like, it’s been amazing what they’ve done for our team. I’ve spoken to my mum about it in the past.
“She never would have imagined that we would be playing Davis Cup rubbers in front of packed 7,500, 8,000 people, whatever the capacity is here. I only thought about it at about 5-2 today, to be honest, in the second set. I wasn’t thinking about it before the weekend or during any of the doubles matches or anything.
“I kind of realised that (it could be his last match), as I was playing the match. I felt that a little bit at the end. I lost my focus a bit and felt a little bit emotional about that.
“The crowd in a lot of our matches has made a big difference. They’ve been some of the best memories I’ve had on a tennis court. I’m sad that we might not get the opportunity to play here again, but we also might be back here in February potentially. We’ll just have to wait and see.”
The former world No 1 insisted that he is not calling time on his Davis Cup career and is adamant he will always answer the call, if selected. He added: “I think so because I really enjoyed this week, away from the court as well as getting to compete. Last year, I regretted not playing when I had the opportunity to.
“But, moving forward, it’s obviously not going to be easy with the players that we have. Someone like Jack Draper is improving all the time. He’ll be involved in the team for many years. Then obviously don’t know which way the captain will go with the doubles after the results here, as well.
“So I don’t know what the future holds in that respect. But if I’m selected, I’ll definitely be involved.” And he insisted it’s not only the Scots in the team who want Davis Cup tennis to return to Glasgow, even if he is no longer involved.
Murray added: “Today was a dead rubber on Sunday against maybe not a well-known team, and they turned out and gave amazing support. I don’t just speak for myself but for all of the players. They love playing here.
“They love coming back here. When we’re asked about it, we want to come and play at the Emirates because we know guaranteed that it’s going to be an amazing atmosphere. So, huge thanks to them for always turning up and supporting us.
“I hope that tennis, even if I’m not playing, will come back here for Davis Cups in the future.” In the second singles match of the day, British No 1 Cameron Norrie went down 4-6, 3-6 to world No 44 Alexander Bublik.