IT’S LUCKY SEVEN FOR TRUE BRITS

IT is 20 years since British pair Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski reached the men’s quarter-finals at Wimbledon.

Both lost their respective clashes in 1997 – but they had at least maintained the idea that seven is something of a lucky number for the host nation in SW19.

For starters, the first Wimbledon was staged 140 years ago at the All England Club in 1877. It was a Gentleman-only event for the first seven years – and it was won by a Brit every single time. Fast-forward a century to 1977 and we had Virginia Wade lifting the Ladies’ title with victory over the Netherlands’ Betty Stove. Wade was the country’s first Wimbledon singles winner – man or woman – since Anne Mortimer in 1961 (six plus one… makes seven).

And what about the number 77? That was the amount of years between Andy Murray winning Wimbledon in 2013 and the previous British male to do so – the late, great Fred Perry in 1936.

Indeed, Muzza loved that figure so much, he immediately copyrighted it for his management company – and now wears the numbered logo on his shirt.

If we are looking for signs of possible British glory this year, there is the obvious one that it is 2017.

Which surely bodes well for our leading lass Johanna Konta following in Wade’s glorious footsteps. Konta is the world No.7 after all.

Now, Murray does not need to rely on numerical twists for victory in these parts.

Yet, if and when the three-time Grand Slam winner and twice Olympic Gold medallist retains his crown this time next week – completing a personal hat-trick of Wimbledons – he will have won seven matches en route.

And, hey, what about a domestic double on the lush lawns with both Murray and Konta conquering all?

That has not happened since Perry and Dorothy Round Little completed a clean sweep in 1934.

Now remind me, what does three add four equal? ANDY MURRAY Nadal aims to sink Rafa than tennis. – at golf rather to meet The Scot, seeded said: “I saw Nadal in the semis, with the putter Rafa and his team competition out for a friendly on Friday. I before his match golf while don’t really play time. But Rafa plays all the specific putting is a very my skill and I fancy chances.”