Jo and Andy roar through on ‘Magic Monday’
● Murray and Konta reach last eight – the first time UK has been represented in both singles quarter-finals since 1973
Johanna Konta and Andy Murray made tennis history as they both won their fourth round matches. The wins signalled the first time since 1973 that both a British man and woman have reached the Wimbledon quarter finals.
The head of Wimbledon has dismissed accusations of sexism after it emerged the vast majority of the tournament’s prestigious Centre Court slots have been given over to men.
In the opening seven days of play at this year’s competition, 14 matches on Centre Court have been from the men’s singles draw, with just eight coming from the women’s.
The scheduling imbalance has led to criticism of the All England Club, with Chris Evert, a three-time Wimbledon champion, questioning the lack of “equal representation” on the show courts.
The questions over the matches intensified yesterday after it emerged there were four men’s and two women’s ties across Centre Court and Court One, with Grand Slam winners Angelique Kerber and Garbine Muguruza relegated to Court Two.
Evert, a former world number one, took issue with that line-up, explaining: “I think all women would like to see three of each to go along with the equal prize money.”
However, Richard Lewis, the All England Club’s chief executive, insisted the decision placing more men’s matches on the tournament’s high profile courts was simply a reflection of what spectators want to see.
He said: “I wouldn’t say it’s favouritism. I would say it’s taking the marquee matches. It’s not about male or female, in the end it’s about which matches you feel the public and broadcasters want to see.”
Asked if female players could only gain greater popularity with more exposure, Mr Lewis pointed to the last three women’s rounds, which will have days without men’s singles matches on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
The other three grand slam tournaments routinely put four, or even five, daily matches on their show courts but Mr Lewis said Wimbledon crowds would struggle to make an earlier start.
“We view these things from time to time. It doesn’t work for us,” he added. “Whether it will work in the future at any stage I’m not sure. The start time of 1pm, already you see fans struggling to get into Court One and Centre and that’s not just corporate hospitality.
“People travel from long and large distances and they want to use off-peak fares. Getting to the stadiums is a challenge so three matches on Centre and One works for us. It’s a tried and tested formula.”
It comes as Britain’s tennis stars put to bed a 44-yearold old hoodoo, after Andy Murray and Johanna Konta secured their places in the men’s and women’s quarter finals respectively, equalling a record set by Roger Taylor and Virginia Wade.
Murray’s victory over Frenchman Benoit Paire also meant the world number one became just the third player in the Open era after Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer to reach ten consecutive quarterfinals at a single grand slam.
Andy Murray was happy to share the spotlight with Johanna Konta last night as the pair won through to the Wimbledon quarter-finals – the first time Britain has been represented in the last eight of both singles competitions for 44 years.
The scot even went as far as to say that other Brits being successful was important to the well-being of tennis because many fans “won’t enjoy watching me play”.
But, while he praised Konta for her achievement in beating France’s Caroline Garcia, he said he didn’t necessarily need another home player to be taking the pressure off him. “I’m still pumped to get out there regardless of whether there’s other British players in the tournament or not,” he said.
Happy with his straight-sets victory over another French player, Benoit Paire, on Centre Court, the No.1 seed said: “That was by far the best I hit the ball, the cleanest I hit the ball and I felt like I moved well.”
Paire repeatedly tested Murray with drop-shots, making him run, until eventually giving up on the tactic, concluding: “He can run like a rabbit.”
Murray, who’s had trouble with his left hip in what’s been an injury and illness-disrupted season, added: “I’m moving well. I didn’t feel I moved that well against Fabio [Fognini, his previous opponent] but I felt like I moved really good. I certainly feel like I’ve been tested in that department. I’ve been
pushed around the court quite a bit.”
In his quarter-final tomorrow Murray plays the American Sam Querrey. “He obviously likes the conditions here, he’s got a big serve and when he’s hitting forehands and dictating he’s a very dangerous player,” the champion said.
On a day when defeats for Rafael Nadal and Angelique Kerber boosted Britain’s chances of a glory double, Murray said of Konta’s success: “I think it’s great. Not just in this tournament but over the last two years, she’s done great.
“It’s important to have various role models in the sport, players competing for the biggest events. I do think it makes a difference to interest because a lot of people who follow tennis in this country won’t enjoy watching me play.”
The media room was incredulous at this but he added: “It’s true, you know. So it’s great to have someone like Jo or Kyle [Edmund], just different players to follow. People like differ- ent styles, different personalities. That’s important.”
In her quarter-final today Konta plays Romania’s Simona Halep. “Hopefully she keeps going for the next few days,” Murray added.
Konta, who beat Garcia in three sets, praised the part played by the Court 1 fans. “They were incredible,” she said, “and an absolutely pleasure to play in front of.
“It was a very close match. I stayed mentally quite tough and tried to knuckle down on every single point.”
Britain’s last quarter-final double act were Roger Taylor and Virginia Wade in 1973. Wade, the last Brit to win the women’s championship, reckons Konta has a good chance of lifting the trophy. “It’s humbling that I have such champions thinking so highly of me,” Konta said.