Andy Murray confirmed his legions of fans’ worst fears yesterday – that it is “too soon” for him to compete at Wimbledon after hip surgery.
The two-time champion withdrew from the Championships, which begin today, with a “heavy heart”, adding: “We’ve decided that playing best-of-five-set matches might be a bit too soon in the recovery process.”
His withdrawal will also be a blow for the Championships, which while famous for its traditions – strawberries and cream, Pimm’s and players in all-white – is in reality a commercial brand at an immensely rich private members’ club.
No 1 Court roof nearly complete
Fans arriving at SW19 today will notice the latest stage in what the All England Club calls the Wimbledon Master Plan, a long-term vision to keep the Championships at the top of the sport. The new, retractable roof on No 1 Court is half-completed, and will be ready for next year’s Championships.
As soon as the last fan leaves the grounds after the finals on 15 July, work will resume and the 11 trusses that will support the roof will be installed. Every seat on the court will also be replaced.
The Master Plan doesn’t cater solely for those able to afford up to £105 for a No 1 Court ticket at this year’s Championships, or its debenture holders (the latest tranche of 1,000 debentures, costing £31,000 each, were sold to finance the new roof).
First time for free Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi is available for the first time to people in what is officially termed “the queue”, for those hoping to buy the 500 show court tickets issued daily or for ground passes. Once inside, they can head for the famous big screen beside No 1 Court, which has been doubled in width to 18 metres. More public space in which to watch it has been carved out on Henman Hill and what was formerly Court 19.
However, the club is adamant that fans will not be watching any World Cup football on the screen, not even England’s match against Colombia tomorrow. “We have never shown the football in previous years and there will be no change to that,” said Richard Lewis, the club’s chief executive. “We think people recognise they are at a tennis event.”
Traditional – or stuffy, depending on your point of view – it may be, but the club moves with the times and is keen to promote its green credentials. It says just 1.4 per cent of Championship waste went to landfill in 2017. This year, plastic straws have been banished, and fans buying goods in Wimbledon’s shops will get paper bags for their purchases.
Meghan Markle spotting
But some things never change, and fans started queuing early on Saturday (despite the queue only officially opening at 8am yesterday) to get tickets for defending champion Roger Federer’s opening match on Centre Court today against Dusan Lajovic.
Fans of the Royal Family may be more interested in the last match on No 1 Court, where Serena Williams plays Arantxa Rus.
Williams’ friend, the Duchess of Sussex, is expected to attend at least one of her matches – whether in an official or personal capacity is not yet known.
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Andy Murray withdraws from Wimbledon – statement in full
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