Andy Murray was given an emotional farewell after his final appearance at Wimbledon began with a straight-set defeat alongside older brother Jamie in the men’s doubles.

The two-time singles champion is playing at the All England Club for the last time before retiring later this year.

“It is hard because I want to keep playing, but I can’t,” Murray, who won Wimbledon in 2013 and 2016, told former BBC presenter Sue Barker on Centre Court.

“Physically it’s too tough now. I want to play forever. I love the sport.”

The Murray brothers arrived on to Centre Court – which had not hosted a first-round men’s doubles match since 1995 – to a standing ovation.

Another followed moments after they lost 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 to Australian pair John Peers and Rinky Hijikata.

A video montage of Andy Murray’s career was played on the big screen after the match, leaving the former world number one in tears as the thousands of fans showed their appreciation in an elongated ovation.

Murray’s parents Judy and Willie, his wife Kim and two of their daughters watched on.

The former world number one thanked his family, his team members over the years and the fans for their support over the years.

Fellow Grand Slam champions Novak Djokovic, Martina Navratilova, John McEnroe and Iga Swiatek applauded from the side of the court, alongside British players Dan Evans, Jack Draper and Cameron Norrie.

Murray is set to appear again later this week, having signed up to the mixed doubles with fellow British Grand Slam champion Emma Raducanu.

“It was obviously very special to play with Jamie, we’ve not the chance to do it before,” Murray, who won the first of his three major titles at the 2012 US Open, said.

“It was a race against time to get out here and physically it wasn’t easy but I’m glad we were able to do it one time together.”

Top seed Iga Swiatek reached the third round of the women’s singles with a tenacious straight-set win over Petra Martic on Centre Court at Wimbledon.

Croatian Martic pushed the Polish world number one in moments but lost her serve late in both sets in Swiatek’s 6-4 6-3 win.

She also needed a lengthy medical timeout for a back injury in the opening set.

Swiatek’s victory extended her formidable win streak to 21 matches.

The 23-year-old is a five-time Grand Slam winner, although she has struggled on grass in the past, and has never advanced beyond the quarter-finals at SW19.

Swiatek will face Yulia Putintseva in the third round with the Kazakh player upsetting Czech 27th seed Katerina Siniakova 6-0 4-6 6-2 earlier on day four.

Elsewhere in the women’s draw, American fifth seed Jessica Pegula became the highest-ranked casualty at this year’s singles when she was beaten by world number 42 Wang Xinyu.

The Chinese player won 6-4 6-7 (7-9) 6-1 on court three to set up a third-round tie with Britain’s Harriet Dart.

Pegula had looked in formidable form on grass, reaching the final of Eastbourne and winning her first-round tie at Wimbledon in just 49 minutes.

Caroline Garcia, the 23rd seed from France, was also knocked out, losing 6-3 3-6 6-4 to world number 97 Bernarda Pera of the United States.

But plenty of other seeds recorded dominant straight-set wins on a wind-affected day in SW19.

Elena Rybakina, champion in 2022, beat German Laura Siegemund 6-3 3-6 6-3.

The Kazakh player will next face former world number one Caroline Wozniacki in the next round.

The Dane, 33, beat Canadian 30th seed Leylah Fernandez 6-3 2-6 7-5.

Ons Jabeur, runner-up at the past two Wimbledons, dispatched American Robin Montgomery 6-1 7-5.

The Tunisian 10th seed will take on 21st seed Elina Svitolina in the third round after the Ukrainian overcame German Jule Niemeier 6-3 6-4.

American 11th seed Danielle Collins beat Hungary’s Dalma Galfi 6-3 6-4 and will take on 20th seed Beatriz Haddad Maia next after the Brazilian benefited from a walkover.

Madison Keys, a quarter-finalist last year’s, beat China’s Wang Yafan 6-2 6-2, while 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko defeated Ukraine’s Daria Snigur 6-3 6-0.

Brighton have signed England international Fran Kirby on a free transfer following the expiry of her contract at Women’s Super League champions Chelsea.

Kirby, 31, is widely regarded as one of England’s greatest female players and won five successive WSL titles with Chelsea before her departure.

Having spent her entire club career in the south of England, Kirby’s move to Brighton means she can stay close to home and will continue to play in the WSL.

The forward, who started every game for England as they won Euro 2022, will go down as one of Brighton’s most high-profile signings.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome Fran to the club”, managing director of women’s and girls’ football Zoe Johnson said.

“She arrives as one of the most decorated English footballers of all time, playing an integral role in Chelsea’s recent dominance, as well as on the international stage having been a part of England’s Euro 2022 win.

“Her experience on the pitch will be just as important off it and we have no doubt that she will help us take a significant step towards our long-term targets.”

Brighton finished ninth in the WSL last season during a campaign where they sacked manager Melissa Phillips and which was overseen for the second half by interim boss Mikey Harris, brought in from the men’s academy.

Brighton have been able to attract several big names in recent years including two-time Champions League winner Pauline Bremer and former Barcelona captain Vicky Losada.

The club has ambitions to break into the WSL’s top four and a signing of Kirby’s calibre will go some way towards that.

During a nine-year stint with Chelsea, Kirby scored 63 goals in 114 WSL games, winning eight league titles in the process.

Despite a career plagued with serious injuries and illnesses, Kirby is still regarded as a key member of Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses.