Andy Murray avoids Wimbledon-BBC ‘late shift’, freeing him to ‘see the kids in the evening’

Andy Murray will be one of the main Centre Court attractions at Wimbledon on Tuesday, but unlike in the past few years he has avoided the BBC’s “late shift” and he should finish early enough to tuck his children in.

The three-time Grand Slam winner will feature in an all-British tie in the opening round at the All England Club on day two as he will face wildcard Ryan Peniston.

All five Murray’s matches the past two editions – three in 2021 and two last year – have been the late match on Centre Court as it is the primetime slot on the BBC and often attracts big viewing figures.

But that streak will end on Tuesday as Murray has been handed the afternoon slot by organisers.

As per tradition, the defending women’s champion will open Centre Court proceedings on day two as Elena Rybakina will take on Shelby Rogers at 13:30.

After that it is time for the all-British affair between Murray and world No 268 Peniston with the encounter likely to get underway at about 15:00 local time.

Former world No 1 Murray admitted before the order of play was released that he wasn’t too keen on the “late shift” as he wanted to see his children before they go to bed.

“Usually I get given the late shift so hopefully this year they will put me on a little bit earlier. The way the scheduling is done now, all the late matches are ending up being played under the roof,” the two-time Wimbledon winner said.

“I would like to play slightly earlier in the day if at all possible so I get to see the kids in the evening because usually I am finishing at 9-9.30pm. With the later starts and the big breaks between the matches it’s later finishes a lot of the time.”

Tuesday’s evening shift will go to second seed Aryna Sabalenka – who returns after missing last year’s edition due to the ban on Russian and Belarusian players – as the reigning Australian Open champion will open her tournament against Panna Udvardy from Hungary.

World No 1 Carlos Alcaraz will kick off proceedings on NO.1 Court as he will take on Jeremy Chardy of France in the first match of the day before sixth seed and last year’s runner-up Ons Jabeur faces Magdalena Frech. British No 1 Cameron Norrie and Tomas Machac will feature in the late clash.

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