Tennis fans were eager to see Andy Murray’s Wimbledon swan song. But as thousands of fans began pouring into SW19 for the chance to see him, they faced disappointment after it was announced he would not be playing in the men’s singles tournament.
Charles Bowden, 32, and Kelly Ann Ethell, 24, were especially keen, having camped out since 2pm the day before to secure tickets. “I’m gutted. I got a Centre Court ticket hoping to see him,” said Bowden.
Murray, twice the men’s champion, was forced on Tuesday to withdraw from his singles match against Czech player Tomáš Macháč after being unable to sufficiently recover from back surgery he underwent 10 days ago. The news was announced minutes after gates opened to the public.
But there is still a chance he could make a final Wimbledon appearance as he is due to compete alongside his brother, Jamie, in the men’s doubles later this week.
Some of those attending had camped since Saturday hoping to see Murray compete in his final men’s singles tournament appearance at Wimbledon.
Bowden and Ethell, who travelled to south-west London from Blackpool, said Murray was their favourite player. “It’s a shame he’s not going to get a Centre Court sendoff [in the singles], it’s what his career is about,” said Bowden.
Murray’s absence means that Novak Djokovic is the only one of the so-called “Fab Four”, which also includes Rafael Nadal and the retired Roger Federer, to be playing in the singles at Wimbledon this year.
“It’s a goodbye to an entire generation,” said Bowden. “You look at Stan Wawrinka, Gael Monfils, Novak Djokovic – he’s 37 and injured. It’s potentially an end to a whole generation who I grew up watching. This might be the last year for a lot of players, not just Andy Murray.”
Ethell hopes Murray has a speedy recovery. “I want him to play well in his doubles with Jamie,” she said. The pair plan to remaining camped out until Murray bids farewell to the tournament, if he is well enough to do so. “It’s going to be hard. It’s tiring waking up at 5am but it’ll be good,” she added.
Adam Fiske, from the Isle of Wight, said it was a shame Murray was not able to play but hoped “he can get through [in doubles] and play his last game on Centre Court”.
He thanked Murray for his previous exhilarating performances, and added: “Even though he’s Scottish, it’s still fun watching him.”
Despite travelling from Durham to see Murray play on Centre Court, Joseph, 54, was fully behind his decision to drop out. “It’s sad but I wish him well, he knows his body better than anyone. We’ve just got to be respectful about that,” he said. “He’ll be as upset as us. He’s more important than a game of tennis.”
He added: “What he’s done for tennis is absolutely amazing. He’s been an amazing ambassador for the game. We might not have another British Wimbledon winner for a long time.”
Nicola Tyrer, 52, had travelled to the tournament from Liverpool. She had Centre Court tickets but was reflective on his decision. “It’s sad isn’t it,” she said. “If he’s not fit enough then he’s not fit enough.”
She added: “He’s achieved so much. You have to take your hats off to him. He’ll be as disappointed as anything.”
In what could be seen as a sign of the changing of the guard, Jack Draper, the British No 1, replaced Murray on Centre Court. The 22-year-old from Sutton defeated the reigning Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz at Queen’s last month.
Andy Flambard, 64, said the ushering in of a new generation was a good thing.
He added: “We’ve had Murray, Djokovic, Federer and the likes playing for so many years and winning everything. A new breed coming through is good for tennis. It’s got to come to an end for us all.”