Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Andy Murray: Fans will make 'huge difference' at Wimbledon, says two-time champion

Written by 
Published in Tennis
Monday, 26 April 2021 05:30

Andy Murray is looking forward to playing in front of what he hopes will be a substantial crowd at Wimbledon.

The tournament, cancelled in 2020, begins on 28 June, seven days after all Covid restrictions could be lifted in England.

A final decision on numbers will be delayed as long as possible, with tickets due to go on sale in June.

"For me, it would make a huge difference," said two-time champion Murray.

"Hopefully we can get some good crowds in. We've heard 30 per cent, but I don't know if that's 30 per cent of their usual capacity but they'll be allowed to have Centre Court and Court One full. So we'll see.

"At the beginning I didn't miss it (crowds) that much, I was just pumped to be competing again. But, as the weeks go on, that's kind of what you play for, to play in front of big crowds and play in great atmospheres. It's something that I've definitely missed."

Murray, 33, lives just a short drive away from Wimbledon but will need to stay at a designated hotel within a "biosecure bubble", in line with ATP protocols.

"Obviously I would way rather not be staying in a hotel," said the former world number one. "It would be a shame but, if that's what we've got to do to keep everyone safe, then that's what we'll do.

"We've been told that the ticketing for Wimbledon is going to be vastly reduced for the players for family. It would be very odd playing at Wimbledon without, not just being able to see your family, but not having them there to support in the matches as well.

"That's the times we're living in. Hopefully, if we keep going with the vaccinations, there'll be a possibility for family members and friends that have been vaccinated to come in. If not, that's what it will have to be this year."

Murray has never lost a singles match before the third round at the All England Club, and reached at least the quarter-finals every year between 2008 and his last appearance in 2017.

'I need to be consistently practising'

Last month's Miami Open had been due to be Murray's first tournament following the birth of his fourth child but injury struck again, this time a groin problem.

Having missed the Australian Open after contracting coronavirus, the Scot, who had a metal hip implanted early in 2019, reached the final at a Challenger event in Italy in February before early exits in Montpellier and Rotterdam on a brief return to the ATP Tour.

"I need to be consistently practising (rather than) having these enforced breaks," he said after being on court last week playing points. "That was the thing in December, why I think I got into such a good place was because of the two months of practising basically six days a week every week for a couple of months.

"By the end of that my game started to feel really good. That's the first thing is to be able to be on the practice court consistently and then I obviously need to get the matches. How many matches that is, I don't know."

Read 492 times

Soccer

Southampton vs Liverpool: Slot hails resilient win

Southampton vs Liverpool: Slot hails resilient win

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLiverpool boss Arne Slot praised his team for mounting a second-hal...

Vini, Mbappé connect as Madrid ease past Leganés

Vini, Mbappé connect as Madrid ease past Leganés

Kylian Mbappé ended his goal drought with a thunderous strike and midfielder Jude Bellingham scored...

Marta, Orlando Pride win 1st NWSL Championship

Marta, Orlando Pride win 1st NWSL Championship

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsKANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Barbra Banda's goal stood up as the winner to l...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Sources: Hornets' Williams out for rest of season

Sources: Hornets' Williams out for rest of season

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCharlotte Hornets forward Grant Williams sustained season-ending te...

'Phenomenal' Pippen Jr. shines in dad's ex-arena

'Phenomenal' Pippen Jr. shines in dad's ex-arena

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsScotty Pippen Jr. already had plenty of fond memories of watching h...

Baseball

Carty, 1970 NL batting champ with Braves, dies

Carty, 1970 NL batting champ with Braves, dies

EmailPrintRico Carty, who won the 1970 National League batting title when he hit a major-league-best...

Hays, Finnegan, Rodgers among new free agents

Hays, Finnegan, Rodgers among new free agents

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Outfielder Austin Hays and right-hander Kyle Finnegan -...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated