Andy Murray and Dan Evans advanced to the quarterfinal in the men's doubles event at the 2024 Paris Olympics on 30 July. Following this, an image of them celebrating their win over Belgium with their emotions visible on their faces, hands outstretched, went viral. Murray's mother Judy also reacted to the celebratory image.
Great Britain's Murray and Evans won an epic first-round match against Japan's Taro Daniel and Kei Nishikori on Sunday, July 28. Great Britain saved five match points in the match tie-breaker to win 2-6, 7-6(5), 11-9.
The duo into a match tie-breaker again in their second-round clash against Belgium's Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen. Great Britain started well and bagged the first set convincingly 6-3. However, Belgium forced and won a tiebreaker in the second set 7-6(8) after saving two match points.
The Belgians had two match points of their own in the match tie-breaker but Great Britain came from behind, winning their third match point to advance into the quarterfinals.
After winning another tough battle, Murray and Evans were delighted and they looked to the heavens with outstretched hands, in unison. This image was captured beautifully and the celebratory picture went viral. Judy Murray posted it on her X account and suggested a medal for the "synchronized" image:
"If there was a medal for synchronised celebrations…… 📸 @Paris2024"
She credited Martin Rickett of PA Sport for the viral image. Andy Murray, who withdrew from the singles event, is playing his final tennis tournament in Paris.
Andy Murray was 'unbelievably emotional' after his men's doubles win with Dan Evans at the Paris Olympics 2024
Andy Murray appeared to have shed a tear while on his bench after celebrating his and Dan Evans' epic win over Belgium in the men's doubles second round at the 2024 Paris Olympics. In a post-match interview, the Brit called it 'happy tears'
"It’s unbelievably emotional. I mean you’re obviously unbelievably happy and then for whatever reason, I don’t know why it happens, it’s like happy tears," Murray said.
"I don’t know why that’s the case but I was really emotional at the end of the match.... Obviously, I was extremely happy, excited that we managed to get through," he added.
Evans and Murray will next take on the winner between third-seeded Americans Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul and Dutch pair Robin Haase and Jean-Julien Rojen in the quarterfinal.