Two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray has revealed he has no immediate plans to attend this year's prestigious tournament, a surprising stance from a player who broke a 77-year drought for British men's singles titles at the All England Club. His attendance hinges on very specific conditions: either a British player reaching the final or a desire from his own children to experience the event.
Andy Murray, a revered figure in British tennis, has stated he will not be a spectator at Wimbledon this year unless certain conditions are met. Having secured two of his three major titles on the iconic grass courts and famously ending Britain's 77-year wait for a men's singles champion in 2013 (a feat he repeated in 2016), Murray explained that he rarely attends tennis matches purely as a fan.
"I don't have any plans to go," Murray told British media. "I'm not working there. I don't go to watch tennis as a fan. But if one of my kids wanted to go along and watch, I obviously would take them. If a British player made the final I'd go."
He cited his attendance at the memorable Novak Djokovic versus Carlos Alcaraz final a couple of years ago as an exception, driven by a premonition of a great match, but otherwise, he affirmed, "I won't be there."
Murray, who retired from his playing career after the Paris Olympics and briefly joined Novak Djokovic's coaching team before the Australian Open (a partnership that concluded before the French Open without yielding any trophies), will be honored with a statue during Wimbledon's 150th anniversary in 2027. Despite his personal absence, he expressed confidence in the future of British men's tennis, particularly in Jack Draper.
Draper, who achieved a significant victory at Indian Wells in March and has climbed to fourth in the world rankings, is expected to handle the increased pressure of Wimbledon well. He will be seeded fourth when the main draw commences on Monday.
Murray commented on Draper's readiness, stating, "It'll be a little bit different this year coming in as a top seed but he'll deal with it well. He's played in difficult environments and under pressure before, and I'm sure he'll cope with it well."
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