Murray’s mound now Konta Contour
NEIL SQUIRES finds fans at Wimbledon are more worried about queues for the Pimm’s than the championships’ injured main man NO Andy Murray? No problem for the tennisgoers who stoically fronted up in their thousands despite the absence of the great man from Wimbledon for the first time in a decade yesterday.
On Murray Mound – or should that be Konta Contour now? – more pressing issues were at hand.
“Is that the queue for the Pimm’s?” asked one exasperated punter, confronted by the snake of humanity which stretched into the far distance.
Given the choice between a drink in the relentless, baking, glorious sunshine and a sight of the king of British tennis, the majority vote would likely have gone with a glass of something quenching.
Just as the World Cup has managed without Italy and the Open Championship has done without Tiger Woods in recent times, so Wimbledon sails serenely on without its most precious cargo.
“We feel for Andy,” said Wimbledon chief executive Richard Lewis yesterday. “It’s tough. Tough for him personally. He’s been playing some decent tennis over the last couple of weeks and he must have been very close to playing.
“But he would be the first to say that the Championships are about more than one player. There are lots of great players in the men’s singles and the ladies’ singles.
“Obviously it is disappointing but the show goes on. I’m sure we’re still going to have a great Championships.”
Murray was not around beyond the quarter-finals last year and Wimbledon survived. This year it will have to do without him for the full fortnight. There are other gods and goddesses to worship – Roger, Rafa, Serena – and other more local attractions, even if they were dwindling at a rapid rate on day one.
But the fact is Wimbledon is as much garden party as sporting event and when the sun is out it is easy to put into perspective the loss of one player. It is not that Murray is not revered in these parts, it is just that the scope of this event trumps any individual. Murray’s absence with a hip problem may be a blow for the broadcasters who can expect a dip in viewing figures on the back of it, but do not expect anyone with a ticket not to show up. There will be a sellout 39,000 present every day.
The languid atmosphere as a warm breeze washed around the grounds of the All England Club yesterday did not speak of disappointment. The attractions of Wimbledon remain timeless.
The creased cream suits and summer dresses floated by and sounds of applause occasionally broke out from behind the flowered barricades.
In the food courts, the homage to the simple British strawberry continued – last year 166,055 portions were sold; there was no sign of a slowing of demand yesterday. And in the Wimbledon shop, patrons
swarmed over branded paraphernalia. Panama hats at £89 proved a particular hit; caps too. Umbrellas also enjoyed a surprise niche market, to provide shade.
The 2013 video of the first of Murray’s two titles sat a little forlornly on the shelves. At 31, he has time yet to add to that tally – if his body will allow him.
As his fans reached for their fans yesterday and listlessly turned the page, Roger Federer – five years Murray’s senior – issued the following advice in his direction.
“I’m not going to tell him what to play and what not to play. The only advice I would give is that I’ve realised that if you do come back too soon, it’s always a problem. It lingers more,” said Federer.
“I’m hopeful he’s going to feel better and better as time goes by. If that means he comes back in a month, that’s great. If he comes back in a year, well, so be it. If he does return and he’s fully fit then anything is possible, especially for a former top guy. You don’t forget how to play tennis. It’s like riding a bike or brushing your teeth. It’s not like you’re going to all of a suddenly rock up and forget about it all.”
For the sake of Wimbledon’s patrons, hopefully Federer’s assertion proves true.
Until that time the event will just have to cope without Murray. Like Venus de Milo and her arms, it looks like the old girl will manage just fine.