Clare Balding breaks down in tears live on BBC after Andy Murray exit and has to be consoled by Rebecca Adlington
CLARE BALDING was reduced to tears after Andy Murray brought his tennis career to a close.
Murray, 37, called time on his playing career this evening after exiting the Men's Olympic Doubles tennis alongside Dan Evans.
Murray had announced his intention to retire after the Paris games last month, and a straight sets loss to Team USA duo Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul pulled the curtain on his career.
With the match broadcast live on the BBC, host Clare Balding was left in floods of tears after the event came to a close.
Balding was thanking Murray for the years of service he has given to British tennis and Team GB, when she began to choke up.
The broadcasting legend was consoled by colleague and BBC pundit Rebecca Adlington, who was alongside her inside the aquatics centre in Paris.
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Speaking on Murray's splendid career, Balding said: "My word, hasn't he shown us everything he is about in his three matches here.
"It is never over until it's over. And now sadly, in terms of his professional playing career that is it, it is over.
"And all we can say is thank you, thank you."
Before she could get any more words out she turned to her punditry team and said "you better say something", urging them to take over the broadcast as the emotions took over her.
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Balding wasn't the only emotional one either with Murray and doubles partner Evans both brought to tears on the course.
Murray looked to be holding in the tears until the crowd in Paris began chanting his name despite the loss.
At that point the Scot cracked his facade and let the emotion out on the clay, a touching moment for one of Britain's greatest ever athletes.
Speaking after the heartbreak at losing out on a fairytale ending, Murray's partner Evans said: "It was disappointing for him. We didn't start well and it snowballed from there.
"Super emotional wasn't it? I'm super proud of what we did but it is bittersweet.
"It would have been nice to get through that match. It wasn't to be. It is a career to be proud of.
"He's going to be missed for British tennis, and the world game. It's a figurehead who has gone.
"I cannot imagine he will leave the sport. I hope he stays."
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