Andy Murray’s late withdrawal has left some fans frustrated (Picture: Getty)
It seemed fitting that soon after Andy Murray pulled out of the Wimbledon men’s singles, the rain came hammering down and paused the action in SW19.
The atmosphere at the Championships today is one of misery – and it’s not just because of the weather – which thankfully has now eased up to resume play.
Spectators were absolutely desperate to catch a final glimpse of one of Britain’s biggest sporting heroes, a two-time Wimbledon champion, who is highly likely to hang up his racket after the Olympic Games in Paris later this summer.
Murray, 37, was meant to be playing Tomas Machac on Centre Court but he made the painful decision to withdraw on Tuesday morning, conceding defeat to a back injury.
The news came as a hammer blow to some of the Murray superfans who have been queuing since the Gates opened up on Monday and many are now questioning why he waited so long to announce his final call on participation in the singles.
Murray is still scheduled to play in the men’s doubles alongside his brother Jamie – with their first-round match likely to take place Thursday or Friday – but that doesn’t mean much for everyone at the Championships today who wanted to see him.
‘We were hoping we would see him at some point today,’ Katrina, 42, told Metro.co.uk. She’s one of many Murray fans on a gloomy day at the All England Club. ‘I love Andy. I’m from Scotland. So he means more to me as well!’
Play was temporarily paused at Wimbledon on Tuesday due to rain (Picture: Metro)
‘It was a bit late, wasn’t it?’ Martin, 49, said of Murray’s decision to withdraw on Tuesday morning. ‘He easily could have made that decision yesterday. I think he should have made the decision last night.’
‘We had tickets for Centre Court,’ Connor, 19, added. ‘I hope [he will reverse his decision and come back to play singles in 2025]. But I don’t think it’s very likely.’
‘I’m a little bit upset,’ Ena, 75, who also had Centre Court tickets, said. ‘Yes [he should’ve announced it last night]. I hope he’ll come back. You never know.’
Tennis fans were forced to run for cover on a gloomy day in SW19 (Picture: Metro)
Speaking on Monday, Nick Kyrgios, the 2022 Wimbledon finalist who is working as a BBC pundit, urged Murray to ‘wrap it up’ and stick his feet up. It would’ve avoided a lot of disappointment around the grounds at Wimbledon today.
‘He’s arguably one of the best to ever do it, so I completely understand him trying to get out here and get in front of his fans one last time,’ Kyrgios said.
‘I don’t think I’ve played through something as severe as that. If he is feeling good enough to play some dubs (doubles) and get out there and give it one last push, I support it.
Spectators pulled out their umbrellas as they waited for rain to stop (Picture: Metro)
‘But the way he is grimacing right now I’d say just wrap it up, get the legs up and enjoy it.’
It should be noted that Murray adores his fans – he never wanted to put them in this position – and spectators will still be able to give him a send-off of sorts when he plays doubles with Jamie. Although some fans might be a little grumpy, it’s worth remembering just how much he’s given the sport over the years.
‘He’s great guy,’ three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka said about Murray after his opening win over Britain’s Charles Broom at Wimbledon on Monday. The pair are very close.
Wimbledon fans got a little wet on the second day of the Championships (Picture: Metro)
‘We are good friends. It’s been more than 20 years. We spent so many times together.
‘On the court, in practice court, we practice tons of times together. We always had a good relationship.
‘It was something special to play here against him at home. He’s been an amazing champion, of course.
The clouds hanging over the All England Club looked very ominous (Picture: Metro)
‘He pushed everybody. He won everything in the sport that you can win. He’s been No.1. He’s been an example for many players.’
One player he certainly has set an example for is British star Emma Raducanu, who lauded Murray after winning her first match at the Championships on Monday.
‘I think the biggest advice [he’s given me] is just how he’s always taken care of his operations, how he manages his people,’ Raducanu said. ‘I haven’t really spoken to him so much. I think for me it’s just like watching him operate day to day, watching him be absolutely on it with everything.
Emma Raducanu has heaped praise on British hero Andy Murray (Picture: Getty)
‘Even in practice now, he’s so on it to the minute. I think me, when I was a bit younger maybe, showing up 15 minutes before practice to do a few arm curls, swing my hand around and warm up, he’s there for an hour and a half doing treatment. He just sets really good examples.’
Murray, in an exclusive interview with Metro.co.uk, has fired new advice to Raducanu as she looks to taste more major glory after her 2021 US Open triumph.
He has also shined a spotlight on new British No.1 in the men’s singles, Jack Draper, seeded 28th, who has filled his vacant spot on Centre Court and has been in fine form with his first ATP Tour title and a win over Carlos Alcaraz.
Jack Draper will play on Centre Court today instead of Andy Murray (Picture: Getty)
Ahead of Draper’s first-round match against Elias Ymer, Murray said: ‘I’ve known Jack for a long time – he grew up near where I live.
‘We’ve played together in the Davis Cup and I see him on the Tour. He’s a really exciting player to watch and I think he’s got a big future.
‘It was a great win for him at Queens against Carlos Alcaraz. Beating the defending champion in the way that he did showed how well he is playing at the moment.
‘It came off the back of him winning in Stuttgart and that obviously gave him a lot of confidence.
‘Jack’s definitely got the ability to go right to the top of the game. There’s always a lot of pressure on the British players at Wimbledon but hopefully he can do well there.’