Brown fears slow death of Wimbledon entertainers

F LAMBOYANT G er ma n shotmaker Dustin Brown mourned the lost art of serve and volley at Wimbledon on Monday, fearing that the slower courts will only conspire against him when he faces Andy Murray.

The dreadlocked, reggae-loving Brown stunned the All England Club two years ago when he knocked out Rafael Nadal.

Brown appreciates that he faces an equally arduous task on Wednesday when he takes on defending champion and world number one Murray.

“Every surface has its own characteristics, and Wimbledon and grass courts should be faster,” said Brown.

“I had the feeling even the last couple of tournaments I played that sometimes playing at the French Open might even be a little faster just from the balls and the courts.

“Yeah, that’s a little sad. A lot of guys that are attacking and playing serve and volley, I think we have seen it over the last couple of weeks also, Feliciano Lopez or Gilles Muller all playing a lot less serve and volley.”

Brown, who made the second round with a 3- 6, 7- 6 (7/5), 6- 4, 6- 4 win over Portugal’s Joao Sousa, said it would be an “honour” to play Murray, seven years after their only other meeting at the US Open. Murray won that clash in straight sets and Brown is expecting another stern examination on Wednesday.

“It’s tough. Andy is one of the best returners out there,” said Brown.

“Like I said, I feel like the balls are a lot slower and it’s not making it as easy to play aggressive and play only serve and volley.

“So just gonna have to try and find a way, be aggressive and try and not have him play the type of game he wants to play. Just to try and take them out of their comfort zone.” — AFP