Read Kevin Mitchell’s full report from Wimbledon:
Murray’s wandering around Centre Court holding his trophy aloft. It’s his second Wimbledon title and his third grand slam. To think there was a time when it looked as though he might never get there. How he’s pushed himself, how he’s worked, how he’s exploited every last drop of his wonderful talent. Linking up with Ivan Lendl was a canny move as well. His form was already awesome but he’s gone from strength to strength since then. There can be no argument that he’s a worthy champion. No one has played better. And he had to be good today, with Raonic a very tough opponent. Yet Murray got that break in the first set and he played outstanding tennis in the two tie-breaks. What’s next for him? The defence of his Olympic gold is coming up, while it will be interesting to see how much he takes part in Great Britain’s Davis Cup quarter-final against Serbia next weekend. That’s all from me today. Thanks for keeping me company over the past fortnight. Bye!
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Murray can’t help breaking out into a wry smile as he thanks ... David Cameron, to roars of laughter from the crowd. “Playing a Wimbledon final’s tough,” he says. “But I certainly wouldn’t want to be prime minister.” You never know, they end up asking him.
Andy Murray speaks!
“The most important tournament for me every year. I’ve had some great moments here and some tough losses. I’m glad to get my hands on the trophy again. I played really good stuff but Milos has had a great few weeks on the grass and had some unbelievable wins. His match against Roger was a great match and he is one of the harder workers out there. Each time we’ve played each other, he’s made big movements. He has a really nice team, Carlos, Riccardo and John. His physical trainers are also very nice, well mannered. It’s true, it isn’t always the case. Sorry about the last few weeks.”
He’s asked about Ivan Lendl, who’s smiling. “He’s just lucky,” Murray deadpans. “No, a big thank you to all of my team. And to my family.”
“Congratulations to Andy,” says Milos Raonic. “This one’s gonna sting so I’m going to make sure, as these courts are green, that I’m going to be back here. I keep plugging away. Every single day I try to get better, to give myself these chances, because I want to be back here. Thank you to my team, everybody that’s here, everybody that’s not here. We’ve dealt with a lot and I know I’m not the easiest to deal with. I love them a lot.”
For the second time in his life, Andy Murray lifts that gold trophy in the air. He’ll not forget this in a hurry.
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A huge ovation for Milos Raonic, who smiles as he lifts his trophy. He played a fine match in his first grand slam final and will surely be back on this stage soon.
Murray’s still sobbing his eyes out. How soppy is he? He’s using the towel to wipe the tears away. Here’s a speedy match report.
Andy Murray is the Wimbledon champion! He wins 6-4, 7-6, 7-6!
Third set tie-break: Murray* 7-2 Raonic (*denotes server): It’s not going to be like that Djokovic game three years ago! Murray pings a first serve to the forehand. Raonic returns well but Murray directs a forehand into the opposite corner. He charges the net. But he doesn’t even have to hit a volley! Raonic nets his backhand on the run! It’s all over! Andy Murray has won Wimbledon! Andy Murray has won Wimbledon again. He embraces with the stricken Raonic at the net, looks at the hallowed turf as Centre Court erupts and he buries his face in his towel as he sits down. He’s sobbing his eyes out. Does he know he’s won?
Third set tie-break: Murray* 6-2 Raonic (*denotes server): Deep breath. Murray bounces the ball a few times. His first serve clips the top of the net. A murmur in the crowd. “Come on, Mr Murray,” someone shouts. Then Murray does it again. Only him. He doesn’t mind stretching it out. Eventually he nets a first serve. Raonic attacks off the second and Murray sends a forehand long. Surely it’s not going to be like that game against Djokovic three years ago...
Third set tie-break: Murray 6-1 Raonic* (*denotes server): Murray spanks another forehand away! He’s got five championship points! Hold me.
Third set tie-break: Murray 5-1 Raonic* (*denotes server): Murray nets a backhand. A surprising miss by his standards.
Third set tie-break: Murray* 5-0 Raonic (*denotes server): Murray watches a ball drop out of the air. He waits. Then he pounds a forehand winner away. He’s two points from the title.
Third set tie-break: Murray* 4-0 Raonic (*denotes server): Raonic nets a backhand slice.
Third set tie-break: Murray 3-0 Raonic* (*denotes server): Raonic loops a tired forehand way past the baseline! The intensity from Murray here.
Third set tie-break: Murray 2-0 Raonic* (*denotes server): Murray beats Raonic’s approach with a brilliant backhand pass!
Third set tie-break: Murray* 1-0 Raonic (*denotes server): Murray confidently puts a high volley away.
Third set: Murray 6-4, 7-6, 6-6 Raonic* (*denotes server): A huge roar greets Murray as he gets up from his chair and walks to the baseline. They’re all standing up in his box, willing him on. But Raonic wins the first point, whipping a forehand into the right corner, there to pick up Murray’s backhand. Then he wallops a 124mph second serve ace out wide to make it 30-0. You can’t help but admire his resilience. Other players would have given up by now. At 30-15, Murray nets an attempted forehand pass, Raonic defending so stoutly. He holds with an excellent volley. He’s forced a tie-break. What now?!
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Third set: Murray* 6-4, 7-6, 6-5 Raonic (*denotes server): Murray races into a 40-0 lead, winning three straight points. He’s barely done a thing wrong so far. He holds with a glorious drop shot. Raonic will have to do it again if he’s going to force a tie-break. But if he manages to win the next game, he’ll have a fantastic chance of forcing a fourth set...
Third set: Murray 6-4, 7-6, 5-5 Raonic* (*denotes server): Serving to stay in the final, Raonic makes it 15-0 when Murray nets a crosscourt backhand. A huge serve makes it 30-0. His seventh ace makes it 40-0. He’s got as many as Murray now. He holds when Murray knocks a forehand long. It’s an impressive show of character from Raonic.
Third set: Murray* 6-4, 7-6, 5-4 Raonic (*denotes server): Raonic hurtles on to a light touch from Murray at the net but he’s not quite got the speed or elasticity of a Djokovic, prodding his forehand wide. The game goes to 15-all, though, Murray unable to pass Raonic with a series of backhands. Eventually he nets one. But he moves into a 30-15 lead with a confident ace down the middle, his sixth of the final, then makes it 40-15 when Raonic nets a forehand return. Another ace takes Murray one game away from winning the whole bloody thing. Raonic will have to hold.
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Third set: Murray 6-4, 7-6, 4-4 Raonic* (*denotes server): The first two points are shared, Raonic netting a volley at 15-all, but the Canadian makes it 30-15, taking a high ball out of the air confidently. The game goes to 30-all, however, Raonic netting a limp forehand. Yet Murray can’t carve out that break point. Raonic is still playing some excellent stuff. A fierce forehand lets him take control and he makes it 40-30 with an accurate volley. He holds to 30 when Murray hooks a backhand return wide.
Third set: Murray* 6-4, 7-6, 4-3 Raonic (*denotes server): Murray skips into a 15-0 lead when Raonic nets a volley off a backhand down the line but a double fault makes it 15-all. A good serve out wide forces Raonic to clip a forehand return long, though, and an ace down the middle makes it 40-15. Murray holds thanks to a fortunate net cord.
Third set: Murray 6-4, 7-6, 3-3 Raonic* (*denotes server): If Raonic keeps serving this well, he’s still got a chance. Two consecutive aces takes him to 40-0. He holds to 15 when Murray plonks a backhand wide.
Third set: Murray* 6-4, 7-6, 3-2 Raonic (*denotes server): Murray slaps a backhand into the net to drop the first point. He’s down 0-30 when he puts too much behind a backhand. An ace makes it 15-30 but he’s facing his first break points when Raonic gives a tame second serve the treatment with a forehand return. You could see that coming from a mile off. Murray saves the first serve, Raonic netting a return off a fine serve, and he saves the second one as well, winning an attritional rally when Raonic nets a backhand. Deuce, then. Raonic ought to win the next point after threatening off another second serve but he lays it on a plate for Murray with a poor volley, begging the world No2 to send a backhand down the line. Murray holds when Raonic flaps at a forehand return.
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Third set: Murray 6-4, 7-6, 2-2 Raonic* (*denotes server): A vicious, swinging rally ends with Murray hurtling on to a Raonic forehand down the line and zinging a backhand winner from left to right to lead 0-15. At 15-all, Raonic nets a volley. Murray’s pushing so hard. Yet he loses the next point, unable to quite steer a backhand around Raonic, who volleys well for 30-all. Two expert pieces of serve-volleying from Raonic keeps Murray at bay. “As an Andy Murray, I have “Two times Grand Slam winner” at the bottom of my CV under “other interests and hobbies”,” says Andrew Murray. “Hoping to update that later to three times winner. No-one has ever checked. Take that Andrea Leadsom.” It’s ANGELA.
Third set: Murray* 6-4, 7-6, 2-1 Raonic (*denotes server): Raonic might be dangerous if he decides he’s got nothing to lose now, a theory given extra credence when he tears a forehand return down the line to lead 0-15. But he’s not been able to press on when he’s had these openings. Murray holds to 15 after winning the next four points.
Third set: Murray 6-4, 7-6, 1-1 Raonic* (*denotes server): Murray’s tearing around this court now, speeding around it like Taz, wearing Raonic down on the first point to lead 0-15. Raonic maintains his composure, though, hauling himself to 30-15 with a skidding forehand. Soon it’s 40-15, Murray hoicking a forehand long and Raonic holds.
Third set: Murray* 6-4, 7-6, 1-0 Raonic (*denotes server): Raonic disappeared for a comfort break at the end of that tie-break. But he’s back now and the third set begins with Murray serving. Serving a double fault, to be precise. A set away from his second Wimbledon title, it would be understandable if he chokes up a few butterflies. He wins the next three points, acing for 40-15, holding to 30 when Raonic pulls a forehand wide. “With Hawkeye now so commonplace, do you know what has happened to Cyclops?” says David Wall. “Has it been totally slain by the newer technology or does it still get wheeled out at tournaments where they can’t afford, or can’t accommodate, Hawkeye? Is that just another example of the dumbing down of society, with a preference for pop. culture superheros over the classics of antiquity?”
I think it lives with Andrew Castle. (I have no idea.)
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Andy Murray wins the second set to lead 6-4, 7-6!
Second set tie-break: Murray* 7-3 Raonic (*denotes server): Murray misses a first serve. He aims for the Raonic forehand on the second. A risky move ... but it kicks up off the line and Raonic nets! “Yes!” Murray cries. And with good reason. He leads this Wimbledon final by two sets and it’s no less than he deserves.
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Second set tie-break: Murray 6-3 Raonic* (*denotes server): Murray nets a forehand return. That’s two gone.
Second set tie-break: Murray 6-2 Raonic* (*denotes server): Murray knocks a backhand return long. That’s one gone.
Second set tie-break: Murray* 6-1 Raonic (*denotes server): Raonic nets a forehand return. Murray has five set points.
Second set tie-break: Murray* 5-1 Raonic (*denotes server): Murray loops a backhand down the line.
Second set tie-break: Murray 4-1 Raonic* (*denotes server): Murray somehow gets a huge serve back. Then a smash. Raonic is in trouble! Murray smashes a forehand beyond him!
Second set tie-break: Murray 3-1 Raonic* (*denotes server): Raonic angrily wallops a smash away. He’s on the board.
Second set tie-break: Murray* 3-0 Raonic (*denotes server): Raonic nets a backhand. It was a cracking serve from Murray.
Second set tie-break: Murray* 2-0 Raonic (*denotes server): A pearler of a backhand forces Raonic to send a volley wide.
Second set tie-break: Murray 1-0 Raonic* (*denotes server): Raonic nets a slice, discombobulated by the wind.
Second set: Murray* 6-4, 6-6 Raonic (*denotes server): Murray has a quick read of his notes before jumping up to serve for the right to contest a tie-break. The first two points are shared, Raonic chipping a forehand return, lobbing, then watching as Murray whips a backhand just wide. Yet Raonic misses a forehand to make it 30-15. Then Murray defends brilliantly, moving into a 40-15 lead when Raonic nets a forehand. He holds. Tie-break.
Second set: Murray 6-4, 5-6 Raonic* (*denotes server): Murray attempts a delicate, dinked backhand pass from left to right. Raonic is there with a delicate, dinked volley for a 15-0 lead. Then he jams Murray up with a big, bodied second serve to lead 30-0. That was clocked at 121mph. This is remorseless serving from Raonic, who lashes a forehand away for a 40-0 lead. He holds to love with a volley. Raonic secured a tie-break at the very least. But he’ll want more than that now.
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Second set: Murray* 6-4, 5-5 Raonic (*denotes server): Given his dominance, it feels slightly preposterous that Murray’s serving to stay in the second set. But here we are. He probably should be serving for the second set. But here we are. Raonic might let rip here. There’s a little wobble from Murray, a backhand that drifts long. He wastes a challenge on it. He looks aggrieved. Yet Murray wins the next point; and the next is his as well, a peach of a backhand enough to make it 30-15. Soon it’s 40-15. Murray holds with a smash, passing the first really big test.
Second set: Murray 6-4, 4-5 Raonic* (*denotes server): Raonic serves and smashes on the first point. There’s not much Murray can do about that. The entire Murray family could have been on court there and it wouldn’t have made a difference. Murray then labels himself an idiot for missing a backhand. But he’s feeling a bit better about himself after returning a Raonic smash with interest, a forehand from right to left making it 30-15, before a stunning backhand down the line makes it 30-all. He’s getting loads of encouragement from the crowd now. Raonic takes a deep breath before a second serve. Murray gets it back. Raonic dabs a forehand down the line - it’s called out. Raonic challenges - it was just in! The point has to be replayed. Murray wins it with a superb backhand pass from left to right, bringing up another break point. This is a huge moment. Raonic misses a first serve. The second serve’s a let. Eventually they rally. Murray nets a nervy slice. He has another chance when a hopeful return is left by Raonic and lands inches in! Raonic challenges in vain. But he stays cool and saves it when Murray nets a forehand. The frustration intensifies for Murray, even more so when Raonic holds with two huge serves. Murray will be kicking himself. What will that hold do for Raonic’s confidence? Thoughts turn to the end of the fourth set against Federer...
Second set: Murray* 6-4, 4-4 Raonic (*denotes server): Murray needs to shake off the disappointment of letting that break point get away from him. If he loses this game, Raonic will serve to level the match. And Murray’s feeling the heat a little when he wonks a backhand wide to make it 0-15. But Murray remains focused and calm, three consecutive points taking him to the relative safety of 40-15. He’s not out of the woods yet, though. Raonic reacts smartly when a Murray backhand clips the net cord. His slice hits it too and lands dead on Murray’s side. But a low backhand from left to right is too much for Raonic to handle. Murray holds to 30.
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Second set: Murray 6-4, 3-4 Raonic* (*denotes server): Murray angrily hits his feet with his racket after netting a forehand. He was in the rally after a decent backhand return. The need for him not to waste those openings is emphasised when Raonic bangs an ace past him for 30-15. But back comes Murray. Raonic sends a volley long to make it 30-15 and Murray makes it 30-all with a backhand pass down the line. There’s nothing Murray can do with a fearsome body serve but the game goes to deuce when an edgy Raonic nets a volley. Murray hangs in there, though, and he earns a break point with a careful backhand pass. Yet he can’t take it, Raonic’s volley just accurate enough, Murray netting a backhand on the run. Raonic earns a game point with an ace and holds when Murray hooks a forehand wide. Murray’s had opportunities to break in this second set and he’s yet to capitalise. “Is Hugh Grant still the British No. 4?” says Simon McMahon. “Or has Benedict Cumberbatch passed him in the rankings?” The real story’s whether we’re going to naturalise Bradley Cooper.
Second set: Murray* 6-4, 3-3 Raonic (*denotes server): Raonic runs around a tempting second serve – but he can’t hit the spot with his forehand return. He might have done better with that. Murray seems to acknowledge that with a little relieved hop. Raonic does better with the next second serve he faces, though, slamming a backhand return down the line for 15-all. You sense that his belief is growing. But Murray knuckles down, serving efficiently, acing for 40-15. Murray holds with a cute backhand pass.
Second set: Murray 6-4, 2-3 Raonic* (*denotes server): Murray mishits his return off a second serve, allowing Raonic to whip a simple forehand away for 15-0, before he lifts a backhand lob too long for 30-0. The final’s going through something of a lull at the moment. Raonic ups the intensity with his second ace, laying down a marker, and he holds to love when Murray nets a backhand return. The Canadian seems to have settled down a bit on serve.
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Second set: Murray* 6-4, 2-2 Raonic (*denotes server): The camera fixes on Hugh Grant for a moment or two. Exciting! Murray holds to 15. Raonic needs to return better.
Second set: Murray 6-4, 1-2 Raonic* (*denotes server): Raonic plays the first point brilliantly, reading a Murray backhand down the line and slapping a volley away for 15-0. A weak return from Murray, who doesn’t bother hiding his disgust, makes it 30-0. It’s 40-0 after Murray overcooks a backhand slice and Raonic easily holds to 15 when Murray knocks a forehand return long.
Second set: Murray* 6-4, 1-1 Raonic (*denotes server): Murray should have this game in the bag after cruising into a 40-30 lead but a couple of skittish shots makes it 40-30, heightening the tension on Centre Court. Yet he holds to 30 when Raonic nets a backhand.
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Second set: Murray 6-4, 0-1 Raonic* (*denotes server): The feeling is that Raonic simply must win this set if he’s to have any chance of winning this final. He makes a nervy start to this game, volleying badly to make it 15-30 and he’s lucky Murray doesn’t make a backhand pass for two break points. Reprieved, Raonic moves into a 40-30 lead, Murray netting a forehand return, but it’s deuce after Murray conjures a spectacular backhand return, reminiscent of that shot in the Queen’s final. Then Raonic double faults for the first time to hand Murray a break point. Murray fails to sort out his feet during the next rally, though, and nets an awkward forehand. Raonic holds in the end, a cracking forehand down the line forcing Murray to net one of his own. A gutsy hold.
Andy Murray wins the first set 6-4!
So here’s Andy Murray, serving for the opening set in the Wimbledon final. Is it to be a straightforward ride or a bumpy one? He’s serving from the Royal Box end, where the wind is having less of an effect, but he drops the first point, kneeling into a poor backhand that drifts way too long. It’s 15-all when Raonic sends a forehand return long, 30-15 when Murray opens Raonic up with a forehand into the left corner before tapping a volley away. Then Raonic nets a forehand to give Murray two set points. The volume from the crowd rises. “Let’s be having you, Andy!” someone shouts. Murray nets a first serve. But his second serve is big. He follows it up by pounding another forehand into the left corner. Raonic stoops into a defensive backhand but all he can do is tee Murray up for another simple volley. He’s not missing that. The first set is Murray’s!
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First set: Murray 5-4 Raonic* (*denotes server): Serving to stay in the first set, Raonic wins the first point with a crisp forehand winner. Then he tries a snorting bouncer of a server out wide. But Murray stretches and his backhand return is dangerous. Raonic nets a low slice for 15-all. Then Murray decides to drag him forward with a drop shot. Raonic tries to whip a forehand down the line but Murray volleys it back into the open court for a 15-30 lead. He’s exerting so much pressure. Yet Raonic makes it 30-all with a big serve before his first ace – and what a stat that is – makes it 40-30. Raonic holds when Murray nets a weak attempt at a drop shot. Murray will have to serve for the first set.
First set: Murray* 5-3 Raonic (*denotes server): Looking to consolidate that precious break, Murray again struggles with his ball toss. It must be the flickering sun. It seems to put him off a little and Raonic wins the opening point on the Murray serve for the first time, volleying adroitly. He’s very tough to beat at the net, despite the troubling events of the previous game. Murray hits back with his first ace for 15-all, though, before driving a backhand volley out of reach for 30-15. Soon it’s 40-15. Then it’s 40-30, Murray pinging a backhand wide. He’s not out of this game yet. The break’s not consolidated yet. Work to do. Another scratchy backhand brings it to deuce. Raonic is threatening to bite back immediately here. Murray’s still being troubled by the sun. Has it even bought a ticket? Don’t they have rules for this sort of thing? Get Mr Burns on the phone, he’ll block it out. In the end, however, Murray regains his high serving level and holds.
First set: Murray 4-3 Raonic* (*denotes server): The first two points in this game are shared. Raonic is serve-volleying a lot but it won’t always work. At 15-0, he puts a volley wide. He tries it again after a second serve on the next point. Yet Murray takes charge with a forehand from right to left, winning the point with a classic backhand pass from left to right for a 15-30 lead. Soon he has two break points, Raonic’s inside-out forehand hanging in the air too long, dipping wide. “Come on!” Murray yelps. This has the feel of a Big Moment. Raonic tries to bluff Murray, approaching tentatively. Murray surprisingly dumps a backhand long, one break point frittered away. Yet he’s ruthless with the next one. Raonic decides to use the same tactic. Not this time, though. Murray cracks a forehand at him and the Canadian can only net his volley. Murray lands the first blow, earning the first break to lead in the first set.
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First set: Murray* 3-3 Raonic (*denotes server): Murray sails into a 30-0 lead, Raonic failing to read a couple of first serves. A rally ensues on the next point but it ends with Raonic missing a low percentage forehand down the line, bringing it to 40-0. Another wide forehand from Raonic seals a love hold for Murray.
First set: Murray 2-3 Raonic* (*denotes server): Raonic offers a reminder that he’s not all about brute force, showing a neat touch at the net to dupe Murray with a lovely backhand down the line for 15-0. Then he reverts to type, crashing, banging and walloping his way into a commanding 40-0 lead. He holds to love when Murray nets a hopeful backhand pass. Is anyone else thinking what I’m thinking? Are we heading for a tie-break? It has that feel.
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First set: Murray* 2-2 Raonic (*denotes server): Murray twice delays his opening serve, struggling with his ball toss as the sun begins to beat down on Centre Court, but he still wins the first point when Raonic nets a backhand. Two more routine points for Murray and it’s 40-0. The game appears to be under lock and key but Raonic suddenly wriggles back into it, two thunderous forehands giving him hope at 40-30, a little pressure on Murray for the first time. He passes the test, though, swerving a serve down the middle and punching a forehand away to hold to 30.
First set: Murray 1-2 Raonic* (*denotes server): The camera pans to Ivan Lendl, whose expression remains unflinching. They could probably just show stock footage of him looking stern. You’d never know the difference. He’s deep in thought, of course. He sees his player return well with a forehand on the first point, but Raonic confidently serves and volleys for a 15-0 lead. At 30-0, though, Raonic lets Murray back into the game, overcooking a backhand before netting a backhand volley to make it 30-all. He could do with a first serve. He gets one. But Murray’s blocked backhand return is superb, landing deep enough to draw another backhand error from Raonic, who’s facing an early break point. Is an ace on the way? Nope. He misses a first serve. But his second serve is well placed and delivered at 112mph, allowing him to direct a forehand into the opposite corner, Murray forced to scramble a forehand wide for deuce. Eventually Raonic holds thanks to more thunderous serving. He’ll be relieved, Murray irritated.
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First set: Murray* 1-1 Raonic (*denotes server): For Murray, it’s tough to know that only one dodgy service game could see him lose a set. That’s the challenge against someone who packs this much of a punch with his serve. But Murray wins the first two points, a backhand down the line making it 30-0. Raonic then decides to approach the net. Murray can’t beat him with two backhand passes and Raonic eventually puts a smash away for 30-15. Yet Murray responds with a crisp forehand winner into the right corner for a 40-15 lead and he holds when Raonic completely misses a return, presumably thrown by the ball zinging off the line.
First set: Murray 0-1 Raonic* (*denotes server): The roof is open, the sun is out and the 2016 Wimbledon men’s final is underway, with Milos Raonic serving first. It’s imperative the Canadian gets off to a good start here. Indeed the longer the first goes on, the more chance he’ll have to exert scoreboard pressure on Andy Murray. But how are those nerves? Murray wins the first point, returning well to force Raonic on the back foot, polishing off the point with a precise forehand. Raonic wins the next point, though, blamming a forehand down the line, Murray sending one long for 15-all. A big serve takes Raonic to 30-15 before he drops a volley short enough for Murray to reach. Yet Murray’s forehand is tapped away by Raonic on the volley and the Canadian holds to 15 with another thudding serve.
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The warm-up’s done. It’s almost done.
Tok! Tok! Tokity tok! They’re knocking up. The sun is shining now.
It’s time for the toss. It’s delivered by 11-year-old Yousef Maza. Yousef, who attends Links Primary School in Tooting, represents Jigsaw4u, a Mitcham-based charity that helps children and young people through trauma, loss and bereavement.
Let's have respect for 'this centre court crowd.' They'll be going home after match to pick our new Prime Minister
— martin kelner (@martinkelner) July 10, 2016
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Here come the players! Milos Raonic is a few steps ahead of Andy Murray as they emerge. Will that still be the case once they’ve played the final point? “It still seems weird for there to be a British finalist, and for the English it may be the last time they can cheer a Scot as a “home” competitor, so it seems churlish not to wish them the modest, vicarious pleasure of a Murray win in their time of self inflicted gloom,” says Allan Castle. ‘#ComeOnTim. But, Greg Rusedski and Owen Hargreaves. So to hell with English sports imperialism. A Raonic win would seal Canada’s current status as the only functional country left on earth.”
Our weather correspondent reports...
Still pretty windy out there. Murray a good wind player, think he'll be fine with it; interesting to see how it affects Raonic
— Simon Cambers (@scambers73) July 10, 2016
Manuel Santana, of course, won Wimbledon in 1965. Not that the Spaniard was always fond of grass.
"Grass is only for cows"
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 10, 2016
Manolo Santana. From grass-court sceptic to grass-court specialist #BeLegacy #Wimbledon https://t.co/QrMcJpcgE9
Andy Murray and Milos Raonic haven’t paid much attention to the Lendl-McEnroe rivalry. But let’s not pretend that the coaches aren’t an interesting subplot.
Ivan Lendl and John McEnroe. The rivalry continues...#BeLegacy #Wimbledon https://t.co/o6AeNgwIBZ
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 10, 2016
The Royal Box roll of honour: Stefan Edberg, Bjorn Borg, Boris Becker, Chrissie Evert, Manuel Santana, Roy Emerson, HUGH GRANT, Benedict Cumberbatch, Nicola Sturgeon, Sadiq Khan and our beloved prime minister, David Cameron. Give us a wave, Dave! Presumably Jeremy Corbyn was going to turn up until finding out he would have to sit near Cameron. What a glorious nation! The burning question, however, is what on earth has Bradley Cooper done that merits him getting a free ticket every year? American Sniper wasn’t that good.
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It’s still cloudy here in SW19. Windy, too. That’ll probably help Murray more than Raonic. It’s not raining at the moment either. The roof covered Centre Court earlier but it’s since been taken off.
I think we’re going to see Murray attempting a lot of lobs. Though that’s not a particularly brave prediction.
@JacobSteinberg I think we'll see Raonic at the net a lot on Murray's serve. That is a big, big target to pass, plus the McEnroe influence
— Hubert O'Hearn (@BTBReviews) July 10, 2016
Has there ever been a more nervewracking game?
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While we wait, some pre-match reading material.
Preamble
Hello and welcome to live coverage of today’s Wimbledon final between Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic. Wait. Sorry. Force of habit. Let’s try that again.
Hello and welcome to live coverage of today’s Wimbledon final between Andy Murray and Roger Federer. Eh? Oh. Sorry! Sorry! Long fortnight.
Hello ... and welcome to live coverage of today’s Wimbledon final between ... Novak Djokovic ... and ... Roger ... Federer? Is that it? No? Still wrong? Let’s have a closer look at the match notes, then. Let’s pretend we’re Proper Journalists. And...
Hello and welcome to live coverage of today’s Wimbledon final between Andy Murray and Milos Raonic! There, your bungling game-by-game hack’s incompetence is outweighed by his wondrous persistence and never-say-die attitude. How about a round of applause for this preamble, eh? Whaddaya say? Don’t all look at the floor.
Well, better get on with it. Got there in the end. Much like Murray, in fact. He got here ages ago. He’s already a Wimbledon champion, of course, having beaten Djokovic in that three-set thriller three years ago, sealing his status as an all-time British sporting great with a stunning performance against the world No1, blasting away the 77-year wait for a British man to triumph at SW19. There’s unlikely to be the same level of tension on Centre Court today as there was on that baking hot July day, or indeed when Murray lost to Federer in the final a year earlier. Three years of hurt doesn’t quite have the same ring to it. But Murray won’t be underestimating the big serving Raonic after the Canadian’s epic semi-final comeback against Federer on Friday, a victory that should have an energising effect on the world No7’s confidence before the biggest match of his career.
It’s also easy to forget that it’s been a draining and sometimes painful journey for Murray since winning Wimbledon. A year later, the defence of his title ended with a shambolic quarter-final defeat to Grigor Dimitrov and he was well beaten by Federer in the last four last year. He’s gone through back surgery that threatened his career and forced him to dig deep into his reserves of resolve after regaining fitness, he lost his coach and he’s had to deal with losing several finals to Djokovic, his arch nemesis. Each time, however, he’s picked himself up of the canvas, dragged himself back to the training courts and the gym, and he’s always come back better than before. He’s led Great Britain to Davis Cup glory, he’s back with Ivan Lendl and he’s been in magnificent form this year. He’s lost two grand slam finals to Djokovic in 2016 but the Serbian is nowhere to be seen today. For Murray, a second Wimbledon title beckons. It’s his first grand slam final against someone other than Federer or Djokovic!
Yet Raonic will surely have a thing or two to say about that. Flourishing under the guidance of his coaching trio of Carlos Moya, Riccardo Piatti and John McEnroe. He’s come on leaps and bounds this year and finally looks sure of himself on grass, having only ever been past the third round of Wimbledon once before this year. His path was cleared of a sizeable obstacle after Djokovic’s exit – they were due to meet in the last eight; Raonic trails 7-0 in that rivalry – and you could tell that the Canadian felt that when we battled back from two sets down to beat David Goffin in the fourth round.
Recent history favours Murray – he leads their head-to head record 6-3 and has beaten him on clay, grass and hard courts this year. Yet Raonic was close in their Australian Open semi-final and in their Queen’s final last month. He’s banged down a tournament high of 137 aces and whizzed a 144mph serve past Federer. He’s a big server but he’s got more variety to his game than, say, Ivo Karlovic or John Isner. Murray’s the second best turner in the men’s game, after Djokovic, but he’ll have We could see at least one tie-break. A tense tussle is on the cards. Murray’s the favourite but don’t be surprised if Raonic tears up the script.
Play begins at: 2pm.
Updated
