Andy Murray used to be dominant in his opening spherical fit in opposition to countryman Ryan Peniston, crusing previous him at Wimbledon’s Center Court in a 6-3 6-0 6-1 beatdown in simply over 2 hours. After the fit, which used to be performed below a closed roof on a rain-curtailed day at SW19, Murray had sure phrases to mention about Roger Federer, who used to be provide as a visitor of honor at Center Court and used to be seated within the royal field during the participant’s fit. ,Wimbledon Day 3 Live Updates,
Federer used to be provide along his spouse Mirka, in addition to the Princess of Wales Catherine, who’s the royal patron of the All-England Lawn Tennis Club. The Swiss is an eight-time champion at Wimbledon, the file for the boys’s excursion, and defeated Murray within the 2012 ultimate at the similar courtroom. Great opponents and associates, Murray thanked Federer for attending the competition.
“It used to be wonderful to have some royalty right here but in addition some tennis royalty. It’s wonderful to have Roger right here supporting the development,” said the Scot, a two-time champion and fan-favourite himself at his home slam.
“The last time I was on this court and he was watching it was the Olympics and he was on Stan Wawrinka’s box supporting him against me,” said Murray humorously, reflecting on the 2012 London Olympics during which tennis was hosted at Wimbledon.
Murray entered that tournament as Wimbledon runner-up, and would survive a tough first-round encounter against Federer’s compatriot and three-time slam champion Wawrinka, the pair of whom had earned Switzerland a gold medal in the doubles at the Beijing Olympics. Murray would then beat Djokovic in the semifinal to set up a gold medal match against Federer himself, who had overcome Juan Martin del Potro in what is still the longest ever men’s best-of-three match.
Although Federer had beaten him in the Wimbledon final of 2012 only a month prior, Murray would exact his revenge, earning the 2012 gold medal on home turf with a straight-sets victory. He would add a second gold medal to his tally at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
“So it is great to look a few claps as of late after some excellent photographs,” concluded Murray, earning laughter from the crowd. Murray and Federer are great friends, and Federer in the build-up to Wimbledon spoke about Murray’s courage and determination to return to this stage despite career-threatening surgery.
They enjoyed a brilliant rivalry in their playing days, with Federer ahead 14–11, last having played in 2015. Murray was also present at Federer’s request at the Swiss master’s farewell tournament at the Laver Cup.
Murray will now look forward to a blockbuster second round encounter against either Stefanos Tsitsipas or Dominic Thiem, whose opening round contest was interrupted by the rain with Thiem leading by a set. With Murray in good form and his prospective opponents not the most comfortable on grass, the Scot will be looking forward to earning a huge scalp in his next match.