They smashed it!
After Emma and Andy crash out, double delight for Britain as Heather Watson and Cameron Norrie both reach fourth round for the first time
HEATHER Watson and Cameron Norrie became the first British players this year to secure places in Wimbledon’s fourth round after convincing victories yesterday.
Miss Watson, 30, beat Kaja Juvan in straight sets on Court One to reach the last 16 of a Grand Slam for the first time.
After hitting the winning volley, she raised her arms to rapturous applause before kneeling with her head in hands.
It followed emotional scenes on Monday when Miss Watson broke down after an intense fight back to beat Germany’s Tamara Korpatsch.
Addressing yesterday’s crowd, including composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and Vogue editor Anna Wintour in the Royal Box, she said: ‘Wow, what an atmosphere. There is nowhere I would rather be. You guys are what got me over the line.’
On the recent success of British colleagues including Katie Boulter and Liam Broady she added: ‘It’s really inspiring, and I think we’re all egging each other on.’
Hours later Norrie, 26, Britain’s No 1 ranked man, beat American Steve Johnson in straight sets. He dropped just one game in the second and third sets, with the final score 6-4, 6-1, 6-0.
He has previously failed to play into the second week of the tournament but as current world No 12, Norrie will expect to continue his fight for a first Grand Slam title.
He was cheered on from the players’ box by parents David and Helen, who were watching him in person for the first time in two years. They had previously been unable to leave their home in New Zealand under Covid-19 travel restrictions.
Norrie and Miss Watson will both have won £190,000 in prize money before stepping back on court – they stand to earn £310,000 if they progress to the quarter finals.
Their success comes after British hopefuls Andy Murray and Emma Raducanu both exited Wimbledon after losing in the second round.
Miss Watson will face Germany’s Jule Niemeier tomorrow for a place in the quarter finals. Miss Boulter, 25, plays Harmony Tan today for a place in the fourth round.
Off court, Wimbledon bosses have sought to make ‘cuts’ to ‘reduce day staff numbers’ as attendance at the tournament hit a 15-year low.
Emails sent to staff said the lowerthan-expected visitor numbers had resulted in managers looking for ways to reduce staff costs.
It came as workers said more than a dozen have been ‘sacked on the spot’ for what they claim to be minor misdemeanours.
Some are claimed to have been targeted for taking toilet breaks without permission while a group were said to have been fired for having a Pimm’s on Henman Hill after work on Wednesday.
Most were thought to have been caught on the grounds hoping to catch a glimpse of tennis after their 12-hour shifts.
The All England Lawn Tennis Club last night denied that contractors had been asked to reduce staff, claiming attendance levels had no bearing on staffing.
But an email sent to staff in one department – and seen by the Mail – warned: ‘ As you may have noticed visitor numbers are lower than expected, for this reason the AELTC have asked that we look at reducing our day staff numbers. It may become necessary to “cut” staff.’
Workers in other departments said they have received similar warnings.
In the first four days of the championships 153,193 fans attended – almost 20,000 fewer than 2019 before the pandemic and the lowest since 2007.
The All England Lawn Tennis Club said the general ground passes were the only tickets not selling out, with the main show courts being fully booked each day.
A spokesman said: ‘ We value all of the staff. We meet with each of our major contractors to agree terms and conditions of employment, which are shared with all potential employees.’