Andy Murray receives Wimbledon wild card after four-year absence from singles
The two-time champion, who played just his third ATP singles match of the year at Queen’s Club on Tuesday, is ranked down at 124, which is outside the cut-off for direct qualification.
Murray’s last appearance in singles at the All England Club was in 2017, when his hip problems first surfaced, although he did play men’s doubles and mixed doubles two years ago.
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Hide AdMurray will be joined by fellow British players Katie Boulter, Jodie Burrage, Harriet Dart, Samantha Murray Sharan, Francesca Jones, Liam Broady, Jay Clarke and 19-year-old Jack Draper, who won his maiden ATP Tour match at Queen’s on Monday.
Five-time champion Venus Williams and Spanish teenager Carlos Alcaraz have also been given main draw wild cards, while 16 other British players have been given wild cards into qualifying, including Scotland’s Aidan McHugh. McHugh and his partner Alastair Gray have been given a wild card into the main draw of the men’s doubles.
Paul Jubb, who earned a lot of attention two years ago when he was given a wild card after winning the US college title, misses out this year through injury.
Chief executive Sally Bolton revealed that, as things stand, the All England Club is expecting Naomi Osaka to compete in the tournament, which begins on June 28.
Bolton said: “We’ve reached out to her team, we haven’t spoken to Naomi herself. At this point in time she’s entered into the Championships and we haven’t received confirmation that she won’t compete.”
Osaka has been taking time away from the court since withdrawing from the French Open for mental health reasons amid a furore around her refusal to fulfil media duties.
Tournament director Jamie Baker added: “I had the conversation with her team. It’s absolutely clear that we’re here, we’re completely open for any discussions when they want to have that.
“Hopefully it goes without saying that we want the best players competing here no matter what.
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Hide Ad“We treat every single player with a tremendous amount of care. That’s one of the main reasons for me and my role.
“We’ve been building those relationships so there’s a constant, ongoing dialogue and we will just continue to behave in this way.”
It was announced on Monday that Wimbledon would be a pilot event as part of the third stage of the Government Event Research Programme, enabling 50 per cent capacity crowds from the start of the event.
The first week will see a cap of 50 per cent capacity for Centre Court and Court One with the smaller show courts at 75 per cent capacity. Organisers aim to have increased capacity on the main two courts for the fourth round and quarter-finals, with full capacity for the semi-finals and finals.
Tickets will go on sale online from 1pm on Thursday and will be released in several batches. Ticket-holders must show proof either of full vaccination, a negative test or natural immunity through having had coronavirus.
Spectators will be required to wear masks while moving around the grounds but not while seated in the stands.
Henman Hill will also be open for fans to watch the big screen, although the logistics have yet to be determined.