It should have been me: Glum Murray skips Wimbledon for a pub lunch

By Paul Harris and Emily Andrews


Dejected: Andy Murray is left to reflect on what might have been during his glum pub lunch with girlfriend Kim Sears


This probably wasn’t the kind of get-together he had in mind for Wimbledon finals weekend.

While Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal prepared to slug it out on Centre Court, Andy Murray sat disconsolately outside a pub dreaming of what might have been.

The 24-year-old Scot and his girlfriend Kim Sears had a quiet, two-hour lunch near his Surrey mansion, accompanied by his divorced father Willie and companion. Murray sipped a soft drink from a pint glass and buried his head in his hands from time to time.


And if the talk was of tennis then it certainly didn’t show.

The only stroke he demonstrated was a backhand – to swat away a wasp getting too close to Kim’s face. Meanwhile in SW19, yesterday’s was a scintillating final with all eyes fixed on the tennis. All eyes, that is, save for those of former Chancellor Nigel Lawson.

The 79-year-old appeared to nod off for the first two sets, prompting amusement in the Royal Box as his chin continually dropped on to his blue paisley tie.

But he woke up in time to see Djokovic defeat the defending champion in four sets.

After the winning shot, the 24-year-old Serb sank to his knees and, in a bizarre celebration, picked and ate some of the Centre Court grass.

Animal instinct: Novak Djokovic tucks in on Centre Court

Celebration: Djokovic sinks to the floor in triumph after his win over defending champion Nadal

Savouring the moment: The Serb laps up the adoration of the Centre Court crowd moments before his bizarre grass eating

Shows of support: Djokovic's beaming girlfriend Jelena Ristic was close to tears after the Serb's win, while Nadal's girlfriend Maria Francisca Perello, right, also watches on

Champion: Djokovic kisses the Wimbledon trophy


Moments after sealing his four-set triumph over defending champion Rafael Nadal, the Serb sank to his knees and raised his hands to the skies in celebration.

Then seconds later he glanced down, quickly plucked a few blades of grass from the hallowed Centre Court turf near the net, and popped them in his mouth.

The 24-year-old's surprise 6-4, 6-1, 1-6, 6-3 victory confirmed Djokovic's place at the top of men's tennis, and he was clearly determined to enjoy the moment.

Asked why he decided to chew on the Centre Court grass to mark the win, Djokovic said it was a 'spontaneous' decision.

He said: 'I felt like an animal, I wanted to see how it tastes and it tastes good.
'It came spontaneously, I didn't plan to do it. I didn't know what to do to express my excitement and joy.'

Djokovic cannot be blamed for wanting to soak up every second of his shock Centre Court win.

The victory, which gave the Serb a third Grand Slam title, ended Nadal's 57-week stay as world number one and was also the Spaniard's first defeat at Wimbledon since the 2007 men's final.

Having amassed an extraordinary 48-1 match record this season, Djokovic pledged that he will keep adding to his collection of the sport's major prizes.

'I will definitely come back for more Wimbledons, more Grand Slam trophies,' he said. 'This is what I was born for, to be a tennis champion. I will definitely not stop here, even though I have achieved the biggest things in my life.

'I managed to make my dream come true, my lifetime goal. It's an incredible feeling.'

Dieting tips: Mrs Murray offered her own unique weight loss advice on Twitter

Success: Winner of the Men's Single's title at Wimbledon Novak Djokovic arrives with his partner for the Champions' dinner at the Intercontinental Hotel, Park Lane, London

Last night his girlfriend Jelena Ristic, 24, said: 'I'm very proud of him. The match was really, really exciting.'

Asked about her boyfriend's grass eating, she said: 'You know what, winning Wimbledon was his dream so it was a really big thing.'

Djokovic's abundant self-belief was the difference between the two players and he drew heavily on having already beaten Nadal in four finals in 2011.

'I had that always at the back of my mind. I was trying to take myself back to those matches and really perform the same way, be aggressive, take my chances, not give him an opportunity to take control.'

Nadal, who had won 10 of his previous 12 Grand Slam finals prior to this, was brutally honest about how Djokovic has got to him.

'When one player beats you five times it's because my game doesn't bother him a lot,' he admitted. 'I have to find solutions. I didn't play as well as previous days, he played better. When I arrived at 5-4 in the first set I played a bad game.

At 4-3 in the fourth set I played a bad game.

'I need to be a little less nervous at these times, play more aggressively and be confident. If not, I'm going to be here explaining it for a sixth time.'

There was one British victory to cheer at Wimbledon yesterday. George Morgan, 18, won the boys’ doubles with his Croatian partner Mate Pavic.

As for Murray, he is expected to take a short break to get over his disappointment.

But might he have another prize in his sights? His mother Judy is reported to be encouraging her son to marry Kim, whom he has been dating for six years. And older brother Jamie reckons tying the knot would be good for his game.

Muddling through: The BBC were left red-faced when presenter Sue Barker's microphone failed during her interview with Novak Djokovic

Glowing: Petra Kvitova, winner of the Ladies Singles at Wimbledon arrives for the celebration

Past glories: Former British winners of Wimbledon Virginia Wade (L) and Annabel Croft


Lawson's SW19 siesta...

Exhausted: Former Chancellor of the Exchequer Nigel Lawson got some shut-eye during yesterday's final




source:dailymail

It should have been me: Glum Murray skips Wimbledon for a pub lunch

By Paul Harris and Emily Andrews


Dejected: Andy Murray is left to reflect on what might have been during his glum pub lunch with girlfriend Kim Sears


This probably wasn’t the kind of get-together he had in mind for Wimbledon finals weekend.

While Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal prepared to slug it out on Centre Court, Andy Murray sat disconsolately outside a pub dreaming of what might have been.

The 24-year-old Scot and his girlfriend Kim Sears had a quiet, two-hour lunch near his Surrey mansion, accompanied by his divorced father Willie and companion. Murray sipped a soft drink from a pint glass and buried his head in his hands from time to time.


And if the talk was of tennis then it certainly didn’t show.

The only stroke he demonstrated was a backhand – to swat away a wasp getting too close to Kim’s face. Meanwhile in SW19, yesterday’s was a scintillating final with all eyes fixed on the tennis. All eyes, that is, save for those of former Chancellor Nigel Lawson.

The 79-year-old appeared to nod off for the first two sets, prompting amusement in the Royal Box as his chin continually dropped on to his blue paisley tie.

But he woke up in time to see Djokovic defeat the defending champion in four sets.

After the winning shot, the 24-year-old Serb sank to his knees and, in a bizarre celebration, picked and ate some of the Centre Court grass.

Animal instinct: Novak Djokovic tucks in on Centre Court

Celebration: Djokovic sinks to the floor in triumph after his win over defending champion Nadal

Savouring the moment: The Serb laps up the adoration of the Centre Court crowd moments before his bizarre grass eating

Shows of support: Djokovic's beaming girlfriend Jelena Ristic was close to tears after the Serb's win, while Nadal's girlfriend Maria Francisca Perello, right, also watches on

Champion: Djokovic kisses the Wimbledon trophy


Moments after sealing his four-set triumph over defending champion Rafael Nadal, the Serb sank to his knees and raised his hands to the skies in celebration.

Then seconds later he glanced down, quickly plucked a few blades of grass from the hallowed Centre Court turf near the net, and popped them in his mouth.

The 24-year-old's surprise 6-4, 6-1, 1-6, 6-3 victory confirmed Djokovic's place at the top of men's tennis, and he was clearly determined to enjoy the moment.

Asked why he decided to chew on the Centre Court grass to mark the win, Djokovic said it was a 'spontaneous' decision.

He said: 'I felt like an animal, I wanted to see how it tastes and it tastes good.
'It came spontaneously, I didn't plan to do it. I didn't know what to do to express my excitement and joy.'

Djokovic cannot be blamed for wanting to soak up every second of his shock Centre Court win.

The victory, which gave the Serb a third Grand Slam title, ended Nadal's 57-week stay as world number one and was also the Spaniard's first defeat at Wimbledon since the 2007 men's final.

Having amassed an extraordinary 48-1 match record this season, Djokovic pledged that he will keep adding to his collection of the sport's major prizes.

'I will definitely come back for more Wimbledons, more Grand Slam trophies,' he said. 'This is what I was born for, to be a tennis champion. I will definitely not stop here, even though I have achieved the biggest things in my life.

'I managed to make my dream come true, my lifetime goal. It's an incredible feeling.'

Dieting tips: Mrs Murray offered her own unique weight loss advice on Twitter

Success: Winner of the Men's Single's title at Wimbledon Novak Djokovic arrives with his partner for the Champions' dinner at the Intercontinental Hotel, Park Lane, London

Last night his girlfriend Jelena Ristic, 24, said: 'I'm very proud of him. The match was really, really exciting.'

Asked about her boyfriend's grass eating, she said: 'You know what, winning Wimbledon was his dream so it was a really big thing.'

Djokovic's abundant self-belief was the difference between the two players and he drew heavily on having already beaten Nadal in four finals in 2011.

'I had that always at the back of my mind. I was trying to take myself back to those matches and really perform the same way, be aggressive, take my chances, not give him an opportunity to take control.'

Nadal, who had won 10 of his previous 12 Grand Slam finals prior to this, was brutally honest about how Djokovic has got to him.

'When one player beats you five times it's because my game doesn't bother him a lot,' he admitted. 'I have to find solutions. I didn't play as well as previous days, he played better. When I arrived at 5-4 in the first set I played a bad game.

At 4-3 in the fourth set I played a bad game.

'I need to be a little less nervous at these times, play more aggressively and be confident. If not, I'm going to be here explaining it for a sixth time.'

There was one British victory to cheer at Wimbledon yesterday. George Morgan, 18, won the boys’ doubles with his Croatian partner Mate Pavic.

As for Murray, he is expected to take a short break to get over his disappointment.

But might he have another prize in his sights? His mother Judy is reported to be encouraging her son to marry Kim, whom he has been dating for six years. And older brother Jamie reckons tying the knot would be good for his game.

Muddling through: The BBC were left red-faced when presenter Sue Barker's microphone failed during her interview with Novak Djokovic

Glowing: Petra Kvitova, winner of the Ladies Singles at Wimbledon arrives for the celebration

Past glories: Former British winners of Wimbledon Virginia Wade (L) and Annabel Croft


Lawson's SW19 siesta...

Exhausted: Former Chancellor of the Exchequer Nigel Lawson got some shut-eye during yesterday's final




source:dailymail

Roger Federer crashes out of Wimbledon in the quarter finals as tournament of upsets continues

By DEBORAH ARTHURS

Out and down: Roger Federer slumps in his chair after his surprise exit at the hands of Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga


There was shock for a second day running at Wimbledon as Switzerland's Roger Federer crashed out of the tournament in the quarter finals.

The world number three was beaten in an unexpected defeat by French hope Jo-Wilifried Tsonga, who battled the six-times Wimbledon champion in a five set marathon.

It means Andy Murray now has one less challenge to overcome as he aims to win his first Wimbledon title, having breezed past Feliciano Lopez in straight sets in imperious form.

Tsonga's reward for beating Federer is a semi against Novak Djokovic. Murray's victory means he will now face another Spaniard, Rafael Nadal, who made it through to the semi-final by seeing off the challenge of Mardy Fish.


Win: Left, Tsonga celebrates his unexpected victory over six times Wimbledon champion Federer while, right, the Swiss maestro's wife Mirka can't quite believe her eyes


Federer's defeat came after the Swiss had established a strong two-set lead where it seemed he had the game in his stylish white bag.

But in an amazing comeback that stunned the crowd, Tsonga snatched victory from the jaws of defeat by beating Federer three sets to two, winning six games to four in the final set.

A delighted Tsonga performed a victory dance as Roger quietly walked from the court he has come to call his own over the past eight years.

After his match Murray said he was surprised at Federer's exit but that Tsonga had simply played too well for even the Swiss legend to cope.


In reverse: Perennial underachiever Tsonga, left, consoles one of the greatest players in history after his shock victory over Federer


A pat on the back: Federer has the class to acknowledge Tsonga on a job well done


'I don't think Roger played a bad match,' said Murray.

Sometimes other guys just play too good.'

Confident Federer fans looked jubilant as Federer easily took the first two sets.

But their smiles faded as he lost the third set and it became clear he could not push back against Tsonga's unwavering energy.


'I could get used to this': Tsonga is mobbed by fans clamouring for an autograph as he leaves the court after his shock victory


It's all a bit of a blur: Federer can't find an answer to Tsonga's onslaught as he prowls the baseline


Court appearance: Anna Wintour is jubilant early on in Federer's match, while right, Chelsy Davy looks tense in the face of reports today that on-off boyfriend Prince Harry has a new girlfriend, Florence Brudenell-Bruce


Fans: Pippa Middleton is flanked by mother Carole and boyfriend Alex Loudon as they watch Federer play


source: dailymail

Roger Federer crashes out of Wimbledon in the quarter finals as tournament of upsets continues

By DEBORAH ARTHURS

Out and down: Roger Federer slumps in his chair after his surprise exit at the hands of Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga


There was shock for a second day running at Wimbledon as Switzerland's Roger Federer crashed out of the tournament in the quarter finals.

The world number three was beaten in an unexpected defeat by French hope Jo-Wilifried Tsonga, who battled the six-times Wimbledon champion in a five set marathon.

It means Andy Murray now has one less challenge to overcome as he aims to win his first Wimbledon title, having breezed past Feliciano Lopez in straight sets in imperious form.

Tsonga's reward for beating Federer is a semi against Novak Djokovic. Murray's victory means he will now face another Spaniard, Rafael Nadal, who made it through to the semi-final by seeing off the challenge of Mardy Fish.


Win: Left, Tsonga celebrates his unexpected victory over six times Wimbledon champion Federer while, right, the Swiss maestro's wife Mirka can't quite believe her eyes


Federer's defeat came after the Swiss had established a strong two-set lead where it seemed he had the game in his stylish white bag.

But in an amazing comeback that stunned the crowd, Tsonga snatched victory from the jaws of defeat by beating Federer three sets to two, winning six games to four in the final set.

A delighted Tsonga performed a victory dance as Roger quietly walked from the court he has come to call his own over the past eight years.

After his match Murray said he was surprised at Federer's exit but that Tsonga had simply played too well for even the Swiss legend to cope.


In reverse: Perennial underachiever Tsonga, left, consoles one of the greatest players in history after his shock victory over Federer


A pat on the back: Federer has the class to acknowledge Tsonga on a job well done


'I don't think Roger played a bad match,' said Murray.

Sometimes other guys just play too good.'

Confident Federer fans looked jubilant as Federer easily took the first two sets.

But their smiles faded as he lost the third set and it became clear he could not push back against Tsonga's unwavering energy.


'I could get used to this': Tsonga is mobbed by fans clamouring for an autograph as he leaves the court after his shock victory


It's all a bit of a blur: Federer can't find an answer to Tsonga's onslaught as he prowls the baseline


Court appearance: Anna Wintour is jubilant early on in Federer's match, while right, Chelsy Davy looks tense in the face of reports today that on-off boyfriend Prince Harry has a new girlfriend, Florence Brudenell-Bruce


Fans: Pippa Middleton is flanked by mother Carole and boyfriend Alex Loudon as they watch Federer play


source: dailymail

Andy takes a bow just for Kate, the new queen of SW19... and she even gets Wills to join in Mexican wave

-Royal couple were there to watch Andy Murray beat Richard Gasquet
-The Duchess was wearing Temperley's £395 Moriah dress which is on sale
-Both Williams sisters in shock fourth round exit from tournament
-Crowds surge as temperatures soar to 33 degrees

By Lauren Paxman and Paul Harris


Never mind the Royal Wave... Kate, Duchess of Cambridge looks expectantly over at her husband as she raises her arms for the Mexican Wave on Centre Court


You couldn't really blame him for taking a curtain call.

The Duchess of Cambridge might have been queen of Centre Court but yesterday – for the moment at least – Andy Murray was king.

Having roared to victory in straight sets against Frenchman Richard Gasquet, he performed an extravagant bow towards Kate and William in the Royal Box.

Here's the Mexican One: The second in line to the throne gets in to the spirit of the occasion

Your Majesty: British number one Andy Murray bows to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge following his victory over Richard Gasquet in their fourth round match at Wimbledon


In turn, they gave him their seal of approval with a pat on the back after the match, won in 100f heat on court, and told him: 'Well done.'

Murray said: 'If I'd known they were coming, I would have shaved. I was thinking to myself as I came off I was sweaty and very hairy. I said to them, "I'm sorry, I'm a bit sweaty". But it was very nice to get to meet them.'

The bow, he said, was 'just, yeah, sort of off the cuff. Didn't think too much about it'. He added: 'I was obviously very happy after the match. I think it was the right thing to do.'

The win earns Murray a quarter-final clash tomorrow with the Spaniard Feliciano Lopez.

Happy couple: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge sat in the Royal Box on Centre Court at Wimbledon

Pretty layering: Kate followed Wimbledon's specification that players must wear white


William and Kate became the surprise stars of the Royal Box after weeks of speculation that they might attend before embarking on their tour of Canada tomorrow.

Centre Court was crammed to capacity, which equates to 15,000 bums on seats. But to widespread disappointment, none, alas, was Pippa Middleton's.

For although there were frantic rumours during the morning that Kate's little sister and former maid of honour would arrive with the royal party, Pippa-watch was stood down at 12.31pm when the celebrated rear failed to emerge from the police-escorted cavalcade.

Kate, a huge fan of the game, wore what looked to be a triple-decker tennis skirt – in fact a £795 Alice Temperley dress – teamed with LK Bennett nude court shoes.

Within half an hour of her appearance, the frock, reduced to £395 in the summer sale, had sold out on the designer's website.

Unusual detailing: The white disks on Kate's shoulders will remind Wimbledon fans of a less successful recent fashion statement... Bethanie Mattek-Sands' Lady Gaga-esque jacket which was covered in white tennis balls


The royal spectators clapped and cheered as Murray got to grips with the heat. Later, during Rafael Nadal's match, they would even join in a Mexican wave.

Murray's triumph was followed by despair from the Williams sisters who made a shock exit from the tournament in the fourth round.

Venus Williams' attempt to win a sixth Wimbledon title ended in the fourth round with a 6-2, 6-3 loss to Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria.

The 23-year-old Pironkova beat Williams at Wimbledon last year by the same score to reach her first Grand Slam semifinal. She also won their first-round match at the Australian Open in 2006.

Williams' defeat came shortly after younger sister Serena also went out in the fourth round, losing to Marion Bartoli.

It is the first time since 2006 that neither sister has reached the Wimbledon quarterfinals.

Expert in action: Andy Murray drew in a very A-list crowd for his match on Centre Court today

Fan club: Murray's girlfriend Kim Sears and his mum, Judy, were watching his progress

Support from afar: Andy Murray's tennis racket bag is covered with tweets from his fans


Kate and William appeared happy and relaxed as they watched the day's tennis. The Duchess has been a Wimbledon fan for years - as have all the Middletons.

Pippa has attended the French Open and the Aegon Championships since her big sister's wedding earlier this year and Kate has visited the championships twice before.

In 2007 she attended with a friend to watch Rafael Nadal play Swede Robin Soderling on Court one and in 2008 she visited again.

A polite thank you letter Kate wrote to Wimbledon bosses after her most recent visit is currently on display at the All England Club.

Keen spectator: This is Kate's third time at Wimbledon and her passion for tennis was clear to see from her facial expressions

Fun day out:William and Kate's visit to SW19 is a private affair and the newlyweds will not fulfil any royal duties


More than 2,000 people queued along the grassy banks outside the club in a bid to secure places for Murray's match.

As the fans waited outside, though, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge took up their prime positions on Centre Court.

There they watched a very convincing display by Britain's number one who won the first set in a tie-break, soon claimed the second too and broke early in the third set.

As well as the young royals, Murray had his slightly more personal fan club in attendance.

His pretty girlfriend Kim Sears, and his mother, Judy Murray were sitting side-by-side at his fourth round match.

Murray's support also came from further afar, his tennis racket bag was covered with tweets from his legion of fans including 'stay positive we are all behind you' and 'believe in yourself and never give up.'

The perfect guest: Kate chatted and joked with Gill Brooke, the wife of the Chairman of the All England Tennis Club who was sitting by her side

Top tips: Kate leant back to give Jane Henman, Tim's mum, who was sitting behind her, a kiss on the cheek before exchanging a few words with her too


Kate and William's visit to SW19 is a private affair and the newlyweds will not fulfill any royal duties. But they both appeared very contented to chat to the others sitting around them.

Kate looked as composed as we have come to expect from the unflappable Duchess. She chatted and joked with Gill Brooke, the wife of the Chairman of the All England Tennis Club who was sitting by her side.

The relaxed tennis fan also leant back to give Jane Henman, the mother of our last big British hopeful, Tim Henman, who was sitting behind her, a kiss on the cheek before exchanging a few words with her too.

As the Royal Box guests arrived today, thousands of sun drenched fans applauded. But the heartiest welcome was reserved for the young couple who were given a standing ovation.

The retractable roof was also partially covered to shade the royals' end of the arena.

Other Wimbledon-goers were not quite as lucky, they used umbrellas to shade themselves from the sweltering sun as they sat on other courts or watched the action on Murray Mount.

Sizzling: Fans queueing to enter the grounds at Wimbledon struggle with the heat, with one man needing to lie down and another woman using an umbrella to shelter from the sun

Soaking up the rays: With a large bottle of water by her side, this woman lies on the tarmac and covers her forehead outside Wimbledon

Defeat: Serena Williams survived three match points. But ultimately crashed out against Bartoli in the tournament's first big upset


source:dailymail