Andy Murray believes that Wimbledon have abused Centre Court roof

Wimbledon

James Richardson
August 29, 2023

Andy Murray believes that organisers have used the centre court roof at Wimbledon to help make up time at the expense of player welfare.

Murray had made a request to be spared the final match of the day during his Wimbledon run but was stuck on the graveyard shift for his second round meeting with Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Their match would ultimately be suspended as they reached the curfew with Murray leading.

A visibly fatigued Murray would then lose the match after it was restarted the next day.

“I had multiple conversations before the start of the tournament and asked not to play the third match every single day because that’s what is going to happen with the 1.30 start and the breaks in between the matches,” Murray explained ahead of his first match at the US Open in New York.

“The roof, in my opinion, was there for when it rains – that there is always matches that can go on for the fans and for TV and everything and it’s great.

“It feels like it’s getting used now for darkness to play matches later in the evening and when you get that third slot you have no way of practising on an indoor grass court. It’s not possible.

“You spend your whole time preparing for Wimbledon – I skipped the French Open to prepare to play my best tennis at Wimbledon – but then you’re playing every match under different conditions than what you’re preparing for.”

Murray has been handed a tough section at the US Open and faces the prospect of more late finishes should he get through his opening-round clash with Corentin Moutet.

The former world No 1 anticipates a really tough encounter with the Frenchman.

“I’ve not played against him, but I practised with him once, he’s an unbelievably talented guy,” added Murray.

“He’s not the biggest, he tends to play quite long points but he’s got tons of variety and good hands at the net. He can be a bit volatile at times but yeah, a good challenge for me, very different to how most players play in the draw.

“A lot of the game nowadays is based on power and serves and he’s the opposite really. A good test for me.”

Murray’s first round match at the US Open is scheduled to start no earlier than 17:15 (BST).

Andy Murray