SW19 Diary: Team Murray not amused by unsolicited 'Come ons'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Whatever Wimbledon crowds are known for (Stoicism? Politeness? Queuing?), wit is not it. The habit of some semi-sozzled Home Counties voice braying "Come on, Tim" at a quiet moment of an Andy Murray match has quickly caught on. The Murray camp are not amused. "We were talking about it before my first match, asking how long it would be before the first 'Come on, Tim'," said Murray yesterday. "I said within the first game. It came four minutes in.
"We were going to have a bet and everyone gave a minute when it would be said. It's a classic, that one. Hilarious. It happens every match, three or four times. I do not find it particularly amusing."
He is not alone.
Brother Jamie is a big (and painful) hit
The on-court focus of the Murray camp yesterday was out on No 7 where Jamie opened his doubles campaign with Sergiy Stakhovsky. The Ukrainian's family may now have mixed views on Murray Snr, who doubles as an Independent columnist. On the plus side Jamie offered his seat to Mrs Stakhovsky as she had nowhere to sit in the crowd, but then undid his good work by walloping a serve into the side of his (and her) partner's head. "I hit him flush in the ear," said Murray. "He was a bit annoyed." At least the pairing – this is their second match together – won.
Subcontinent on same side of net
One of the more remarkable matches yesterday was on No 6 Court where the Colombians Juan Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah took the final set 21-19 to defeat Rohan Bopanna and Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi. Apart from the score what stands out about the doubles is that the losing pair come from India and Pakistan respectively, both players being vigorous campaigners for better relations between their two countries. Qureshi, whose grandfather was All-India champion in the days before partition, is a man who likes to make a stand: his previous partner was Israeli Amir Hadad.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments