Thursday marks a altering of the guard. Whereas for a lot of this may imply electing a brand new prime minister, at Wimbledon, tens of 1000’s queued for an opportunity to bid adieu to Andy Murray and cheer on the subsequent era of British tennis stars.
Murray is because of compete alongside his older brother, Jamie, within the males’s doubles this week in his last Wimbledon exhibiting. There had been hope he would play within the event’s singles, however he pulled out on Tuesday after being unable to sufficiently recuperate from the again surgical procedure he underwent 12 days in the past.
On Thursday morning, simply after the gates to the grounds opened at 10am, there have been about 12,000 folks ready within the queue for tickets. Many had been there to see Murray play his first doubles match on Thursday afternoon. At midday, folks had been suggested to not journey to the grounds to keep away from disappointment.
Stephen Younger, 50, was amongst these wanting to see Murray’s Wimbledon swansong. “He’s my No 1, he all the time will probably be,” he mentioned, after becoming a member of the queue at 5am.
He had travelled to London from Glasgow along with his spouse and daughter for the event. On Wednesday, his daughter queued from the early hours to snag tickets. The household had been again once more on Thursday to see Murray play in his last Wimbledon.
“It’s unhappy, however on the identical time he’s had an amazing profession, we’re very pleased with him, all of Scotland is,” Younger mentioned. “It’s a disgrace that simply as he was attending to the highest of his sport is when the accidents began to occur. I’m positive he’s completely devastated, however what a profession he’s had.”
Murray’s goodbye comes as historical past is made elsewhere on the event. Jack Draper, the brand new males’s British No 1, is because of tackle the No 2, Cameron Norrie, whereas the ladies’s No 1, Katie Boulter, is dealing with the No 2, Harriet Dart. This marks the primary time that the British No 1 and No 2 in each the lads’s and ladies’s rankings have confronted off at Wimbledon.
Younger is raring to see Draper succeed. “He’s doing nice. I hope he takes the mantle off of Murray. I feel he’s the subsequent large Brit. I hope he does properly at this time,” he mentioned.
John and Caroline Atkinson, 58, had been optimistic about Britain’s possibilities this yr. “It’s wonderful. Normally by the Thursday there’s not many Brits left in however there’s a lot round at this time. We’re fairly enthusiastic about seeing them,” mentioned John.
“On the ladies’s aspect it’s been sensible. I feel the lads have been just a little disappointing this yr,” he added. “Whereas it’ll be good {that a} Brit will make it to the subsequent spherical, it’s disappointing that one goes to get knocked out.”
The pair are additionally feeling the Murray fever. “The entire locations buzzes when he’s right here,” mentioned John.
Among the many Wimbledon veterans within the queue had been additionally some newcomers. Alex Nairn, 22, had travelled from Edinburgh to see Murray on the courtroom. She had by no means been to SW1 earlier than. “It’s as soon as in a lifetime,” she mentioned.
If she was unable to snag Centre Courtroom tickets, she hoped to look at the Scot on Henman Hill, the place massive screens will probably be exhibiting the match. “It’ll be enjoyable no matter how he performs,” she mentioned.
Nijla Mingo, 32, and Emeka Ezugwu, 37, are visiting London from New York. They joined the queue at 5am. “We thought we’d be getting right here early however we’re about quantity 3,000,” mentioned Ezugwu.
Ezugwu, who’s British however lives within the US, mentioned: “Andy Murray is round my age when it comes to era. It’s all the time nice to see a British icon. Hopefully he’s sturdy sufficient to get by way of the spherical and get so far as doable.”
