"That day, everything changed": Sue Barker recounts the interview that transformed Andy Murray's image

In 2012, Andy Murray broke down in tears after his defeat against Roger Federer in the Wimbledon final. Thirteen years later, Sue Barker looks back on the emotional interview that followed.

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Jules Hypolite

le 29/11/2025 à 19h05

2 min to read

Murray

In 2012, Andy Murray's tears, after being defeated in the Wimbledon final by Roger Federer, moved the tennis world. At the time, Murray was trying to become the first British player to triumph on the London grass since Fred Perry in 1936.

"That interview changed people's opinion"

Present on the court to conduct interviews during the trophy ceremony, Sue Barker looked back for the Herald on that emotion-filled moment that changed the Scotsman's reputation:

"People always talk about that interview. It completely changed the opinion many people had of Andy Murray. It was a very delicate moment for me.

Usually, when I interview someone and I see tears welling up, I prefer to wrap it up by saying 'We wish you the best, we look forward to seeing you next year' and let them go.

No one wants to burst into tears in front of hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide.

But that interview with Andy in 2012 was different, because I felt he really wanted to talk. When I told him he didn't have to do it, he looked at me and replied: 'It's okay.'

In the end, I simply handed him the microphone, even though I wondered if I had done the right thing. But the emotion poured out, and everyone could see how much it meant to him.

Before that day, many thought he was quite tough, but that interview revealed a much softer side of Andy, and it completely changed people's opinion of him."