Wimbledon: The Morning After


WIMBLEDON is still buzzing after Andy Murray’s breathtaking win last night.
Mighty Murray agreed it was the match of his life.
And as reported in last night’s blog, he told us he could go all the way to create history as the first British winner of the men’s singles since Stockport’s Fred Perry in 1936.
There were plenty of smiles from Murray at that late night press conference, especially over the moment he flexed his biceps.
They’re not quite in the same league as Rafael Nadal’s muscles and the No 2 seed is favourite to dash all our hopes tomorrow.
But with the Murray v Nadal clash possibly second on a packed Centre Court, who knows what might happen?
None of the media at the All England Club knew last night.


With deadlines and darkness looming, we had the story of Andy’s exit written and almost ready to file.
That changed to a possible cliffhanger, with the match set to be suspended due to the fading light.
And finally the twilight triumph as Murray made it over the finishing line with no time left on the clock.
In the end, I had to find a security guard to let me out of the empty grounds close to midnight.

The weather may have a part to play in the match with Nadal.
Rain is forecast for SW19 on Wednesday.
Any delay would give Murray more time to recover from his five set marathon.
And what of the man who had victory in sight last night and lost?
Frenchman Richard Gasquet was about as fair-minded as you could hope for in his own late night press conference.
“I was winning two sets to love and 5-4, so I had to win. But he fight a lot,” he said.
“And after, when I lost the third, my confidence was down.
“He played better. He served better. He returned better.
“The crowd was for him. It was natural. But it help a lot Andy, for sure.”
It was clear that Gasquet – booed by some after taking a perfectly legitimate toilet break – wanted to come off in the fading light.
He recalled how he played in the dark to finish a match when he was a child.
“But in Wimbledon, it’s strange. But that’s for both. That’s the same for Andy, so is no excuse.
“But it was difficult with the dark.”
Gasquet agreed it wasn’t easy for him given the near hysterical Centre Court support for the British No 1.
“But that’s natural. He is in England. That’s tennis. He played well.”
Did he feel very alone out there?
“Yeah, but I hope to play against him in Roland Garros for sure. I won’t be alone this time. So I’m waiting for him,” he smiled.
The French star forecast a tough match for Murray against Nadal.
“With Rafael it will be very hard, but for sure he’s really talented.
“He feels a lot the game. Andy is really clever on court.
“If he serves well, you never know.”
Wimbledon: Magnificent Murray
Wylie’s Wimbledon