What John McEnroe said when asked if Andy Murray would ever win Wimbledon back in 2006.

Andy Murray enjoyed a legendary tennis career, becoming world number one and winning three Grand Slam titles.

The British star competed on the ATP Tour between 2005 and 2024, picking up 46 titles in total.

Having enjoyed the majority of his success between 2008 and 2016, Murray slowed down during the latter stages of his career, suffering various injuries that halted his progress.

Those injuries saw the 38-year-old hang up his racket last year, as Murray retired from tennis upon the conclusion of the 2024 Olympic Games.

The fans in Paris waved goodbye to an icon of the sport, who left behind a legacy that won’t soon be forgotten.

Murray’s potential was evident right from the very beginning of his career, as tennis legend John McEnroe shared his thoughts on whether the Brit could win Wimbledon all the way back in 2006.

John McEnroe said Andy Murray needed to get ‘stronger and fitter’ if he wanted to win Wimbledon
In 2006, Murray made an impressive run through to the fourth round of Wimbledon, taking down the number three seed Andy Roddick along the way.

Eventually, his run came to an end at the hands of Cypriot star Marcos Baghdatis, who defeated Murray in three sets in the last 16.

Sending the British fans into a frenzy with his fourth-round appearance, many were predicting big things for Murray in 2006.

During an appearance on the ‘Parkinson’ show in 2006, McEnroe predicted where he believed Murray would be ranked by the end of 2007.

“Andy Murray is going to be in the top 10 by the end of next year,” he said.

McEnroe was close to getting his prediction right, but Murray just missed out on a place in the 2007 year-end top ten by ten ranking points.

2007 ATP year-end rankings
8. Richard Gasquet – 1,930 points
9. David Nalbandian – 1,775 points
10. Tommy Robredo – 1,765 points
11. Andy Murray – 1,755 points

The rankings weren’t so important to the British fans, however, as McEnroe was then asked whether he believed Murray could win Wimbledon.

“Whether he can win it all is another story,” he said.

“I hope [he will]. I like him.”

He proceeded to outline what Murray would need to change for him to compete for Grand Slam titles in the future.

“He has got to get stronger and fitter, that’s his main problem,” said McEnroe.

“I think he has this [mental strength]. He is a natural.

“But whether or not he is fit enough, you look at [Rafael] Nadal, and he is a brute. He comes off in these cut-off shirts and is showing off his guns.

The guys are getting bigger than ever. So Murray is a little thin, certainly up top.”

Growing into his body as he grew older, Murray became a contender for Grand Slams, winning his first major title at the 2012 US Open.

It was one year later, however, that Murray finally fulfilled his destiny, ending the British wait for a Wimbledon champion.

Andy Murray became a Wimbledon champion in 2013
Having lost in the final one year earlier, Murray returned to the All England Club in 2013, in desperate search of a maiden Wimbledon title.

No British player had won Wimbledon since Fred Perry in 1936, as fans looked to Murray, hoping he could end the 76-year drought.

Making his way through a relatively kind draw, Murray returned to the final, where he met Serbia’s Novak Djokovic.

Producing one of the best performances of his tennis career, Murray defeated Djokovic in straight sets 6-4, 7-5, 6-4, to win Wimbledon in front of his adoring home fans.

Not done there, Murray returned to win Wimbledon for a second time in 2016, taking down Milos Raonic in the final.

Retiring as a two-time Wimbledon champion, Murray will forever be remembered as one of the greatest players to grace Centre Court at SW19.