The second day of the tournament was just getting going when the tennis show in Wimbledon was stopped again. Raindrops fell on the grass. The players disappeared from the courts in no time, over which tarpaulins were rolled out. Among those affected by the sudden change in the weather was German Laura Siegemund, who had just won the first set in her first round match against Ukrainian Kateryna Baindl 6:4. The 36-year-old was not put off by the break and then won the second set 6:1. She is now the first German woman and the second time in her career to reach the second round of Wimbledon, where she will face Kazakhstan’s Jelena Rybakina.
The day had great drama in store even before the end of the first matches. Andy Murray announced that he would not be competing in the singles competition after his back operation. The Scot had left his participation open until the last minute. On Tuesday morning he then withdrew from the match against the Czech Tomáš Macháč, which was scheduled to be the last match on Centre Court.
For Murray, it was to be his last participation in the grass classic, which he won twice in three finals. The 37-year-old is expected to end his career this summer after the Olympic Games. He has indicated this several times. He was “extremely disappointed,” Murray said in a statement. He had tried everything to get fit in time. But ultimately there was not enough time. Just over a week ago, he had to undergo a medical procedure on his back to have a cyst removed. This had pressed on a nerve, leading to numbness in his right leg. A match? Apparently that was not possible.
Murray won three Grand Slam titles during the era of the big three of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, two of them at his home tournament, where in 2013 he became the first British winner since Fred Perry, who last won the tournament in 1936. The former number one also won the Olympic gold medal in singles here in 2012, making him a crowd favorite.
However, spectators at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club will probably still get to see him. Murray wants to compete in the doubles competition with his brother Jamie. The farewell will therefore be a little smaller, but will probably be no less emotional.
