Andy Murray reflects on Wimbledon win a decade since first title
Andy Murray has revealed his burning anger with Wimbledon’s botched scheduling before he returns to Grand Slam action at the US Open on Tuesday. The three-time Major winner accused the All England Club – where he is a member – of compromising the integrity of the tournament for money.
The former world No.1 took a needed break from tennis after his heartbreaking defeat to Stefanos Tsitsipas in SW19 and is now in New York with the support of his young family.
But before facing Frenchman Corentin Moutet in the second match on Grandstand on Tuesday, the 2012 New York champion showed he was still furious over his five-set defeat to the world No.5 in his home Grand Slam.
Murray had requested not to play in his traditional prime time slot on BBC but still started under the Centre Court roof at 7.46pm. He was leading two sets to one when play was halted at 10.40pm before the 11pm curfew – and then returned to lose the next two sets in the sun the next day.
READ MORE Djokovic and Murray have to wait 9 months to learn if Wimbledon request granted[LATEST]
At Flushing Meadows, the two day matches in the main Arthur Ashe Stadium start at midday before a designated night session at 7pm. Wimbledon pretends it is a daytime, outdoor event but matches start on the showcourts 1.30pm and repeatedly need the roof after sundown. New TV deals in 2021 gave Wimbledon more money for delaying the start from 1pm to see finishes for the BBC, which pays £60m a year, and ESPN in the USA.
Murray, who skipped the French Open and played two Challenger events on grass to get ready for his home Grand Slam, said: “I had multiple conversations before the start of the tournament and asked not play the third match every single day because you know that’s what is going to happen with the 1.30 start and the breaks in between the matches.
“The roof in my opinion was there for when it rains so there are always matches that can go on for the fans and for TV and everything and it’s great. It feels like it’s getting used now for darkness to play matches later in the evening and when you get that third slot, you have no way of practising on an indoor grass court. It’s not possible.
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
DON’T MISS
Murray handed favourable US Open first-round as unseeded Brit learns tough route[LATEST]
Andy Murray told chances of achieving big US Open goal after injury – EXCLUSIVE[EXCLUSIVE]
Murray drops major US Open hint as injured Brit admits he’s not completely happy[NEWS]
“You spend your whole time preparing for Wimbledon – I skipped the French Open to prepare to play my best tennis at Wimbledon – but then you’re playing every match under different conditions than what you’re preparing for.
“You play an indoor match, the next day you are outside practising, and then you come out to play again and it’s indoors and then we got stopped for time. The following day you are playing outdoors. Anyone that plays tennis knows playing indoors and outdoors is not the same thing. It’s a very different feeling.
“It seems like a basic thing to change, just go back to the 1 o’clock start or even 12:30. But it’s a financial reason they are doing it so it won’t change.”
Murray, 36, had cast doubt over his career straight after his Wimbledon defeat when he questioned his own “motivation”.
“Immediately after matches, especially at Wimbledon, there’s greater disappointment and greater emotions than at any other time in the year,” he admitted.
“But I went straight on holiday and after three or four days of being away from it, I chatted to my team about things that I feel I need to change, certain shots in my game if I wanted to win more of those matches and dictate more of those matches.
“So I did that, went away and worked on things for a period of time.”
Wife Kim, his four children and mother-in-law Lenore are also here. “It has been good and we went to the Hamptons for the first time and stayed in a house,” he said.
World No.72 Moutet was fined £8,585 (€10,000) by the ATP last year after an on-court scuffle with Bulgarian Adrian Andreev and then expelled by the French Tennis Federation for repeated bad behaviour.
But the Frenchman showed his undoubted talent by beating Cam Norrie at the Paris Masters in November. “He is an unbelievably talented guy,” said Murray. “He can be a bit volatile at times but he is a good test for me.”
Source: Read Full Article