Tonight:
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Two-day queue to see Andy Murray quarter-final
Shekhar Bhatia and Jack Lefley30.06.09
Hundreds of Andy Murray fans today joined a marathon two-day queue for his Wimbledon quarter-final after his epic late-night triumph.
The British number one secured the biggest television audience for a weekday match as Wimbledon began a new era of indoor tennis.
His five-set Centre Court victory over Stanislas Wawrinka created unprecedented levels of demand for tickets to see his next match with fans already queuing to see him take on Juan Carlos Ferrero tomorrow.
Around 12.6 million people watched the three-hour, 57-minute match on BBC One. Programme controllers moved EastEnders, Crimewatch and the 10 O'Clock News.
The new roof, whose built-in floodlights created the impression of daylight, allowed the late finish. Wimbledon officials were thrilled with the first closing of the roof. One said: "The roof will take a little bit of getting used to and obviously conditions will be a bit different. But it's here now and it has totally changed the game already.
"These late-night finishes to big games will become part of the nation's consciousness. It takes the drama of Wimbledon to a whole new level.” Murray was cheered to victory in his four-hour match by 15,000 spectators, with the closed roof creating the noisiest crowd ever.
It was also the hottest day of the year so far. Even with the air-conditioning created by the roof, the temperature was 31C.
Murray, 22, said: “At the end, that was probably the noisiest crowd I played in front of. It definitely sounds and feels much louder with the roof.”
A BBC spokesman said today the game had been regarded as “one of national importance”. He added: “A decision was taken from the onset to put the match on to BBC1 and stick with it until the end as it was clearly going to be a nail-biting finish.”
His fans began queuing to see his quarter-final match even before his victory. Officials plucked them from the lines for today's play and formed a separate queue for tomorrow.
At the head of the queue was Vasilisa Alexender, 19, from Moscow. She said: “Andy is a huge star and number three in the world and tennis fans adore the way he plays. He is very aggressive now.
“I got here at 5.30am on Monday to queue for a quarter-final ticket. I was amazed that I was first, but now there are several hundred behind me. I love the Russian players and Roger Federer, but Andy is such an exciting player to watch. His match against Wawrinka was fantastic. Andy really fought to win.
“I watched it on TV at somebody's house in Wimbledon village after they invited me in. All you could see was the flickering of TV screens from people's houses. I think Andy can win Wimbledon if he carries on playing like that, but Roger has to be the favourite. “
Student Louise Payne, 18, from Fareham, said: “Andy is so cool that I would queue for a month to see him play. We just have to have a British winner.”
With her was Anna Pastellas, 18, also from Fareham. She said: “It was an incredible match and has really let people know that Andy has arrived. The fact that so many people are queuing for Andy just shows how desperate we all are for him to win Wimbledon.”
American Jonny Spendlove, 25, from Salt Lake City, said: “American tennis has taken a back seat at this tournament to Andy. It's great that he is showing he has got staying power.”
Reader views (21)
People standing around for two days in the hot and humid weather? I'd hate to get anywhere near them inside the grounds, even less have to sit next to them.
Truly disgusting!
- Man In The Street, London, UK
Well said, Scotty.
It's amazing how many people want to detract from the subject of Andy Murray being a tennis player of high calibre, and have a pop at Scotland instead.
Sadly, I suspect such people have little else to do in their day. And, as I've said, they get very jealous about the prospect of Britain's best Wimbledon prospect in decades being from Scotland. Let's face it, Henman is/was second rate compared to Murray!
- Jock, London
What a sad bunch are commenting today. Andy Murray is a superb tennis player who has got the world no.3 position by nothing more than hard work and dedication. His training regime is miles beyond the capabilites of the average person as was shown by playing solidly for almost 4 hours.
It's a pity that so many small minded little-englanders have chosen to make this a racist issue, something they wouldn't dare if Murray was a foreigner.
Perhaps the small-minded brigade would tell us how often they bother to watch any game involving the Scottish football or rugby teams and how many could actually name some players.
A great nation was not created by small-minded people and it's time you all grew up.
By the way, what right does anyone have to criticise Andy's mother? She is the one encouraged his career and she has a solid tennis background.
Shame on the lot of you!
- Scotty, Cambridge UK
Reasonable game of tennis for the neutral nothing more nothing less. Have to agree with the comments about his mother, what a sour looking woman.
- David, London
I can't even see Murray's mother as the British lawn tennis people have given the rights in some countries to Pay TV. This is the case for France.....that means that few people can watch Wimbledon ! let alone Murray and even less his Mum !
Giving TV rights to a Pay TV channel is just doing tennis itself in..;a sort of suicide....suicide for Wimbledon which soon will be watched by very very few.
- Edouard, Ramonville, France
"Like most other readers I thought he was a rather sad and mediocre wannabe who last night got lucky. "
If he really is "a sad and mediocre wannabe", he's been lucky one hell of a lot more often than just last night. Unbelievably lucky, in fact, as he's currently the world number three.
If that's what he can achieve from nothing better than sad mediocrity, the mind boggles as to what he can achieve when he actually starts making an effort!
- Michael, London
Anyone here interested in the little fact that it was a good game between two players that gave it their all? Or is everyone having too much fun playing politics and nationalist bias to care about that little SPORTING detail.
Something to chew on - the first in the queue for a quarter final ticket was from Moscow! She was enthusing about how he played, not where he came from!
- Rogan, Irving
Wise words Bob, Cheam. Can I ask the BBC to stop showing Murray's ghastly mother. I'm sure she is proud, but is her aggresive manner really necessary?
- Anyonebutmurray, ENGLAND
Wow... what a fantastic match. Looking forward to the quarter finals. Good luck Andy. You're terrific.
- Jb Sussex, hove sussex uk
Little Jock: is that what you think he is, a tennis player? Like most other readers I thought he was a rather sad and mediocre wannabe who last night got lucky. Shame you don't support your country by actually living in it: so much for "bonnie" Scotland.
- Tinkerbelle, london
Jock, I fail to see what England have to be arrogant about when it comes to rugby, how many English players did you notice in the Lions team on Saturday? It was predominantly Irish and Welsh, and rightly so, because they have the better performing players currently. Has it ever occurred to you that perhaps the English give the Scots a hard time about sport because not only are you notorious for never winning anything, but you also have nothing akin to a sense of humour regarding it, the word dour pretty much covers the Scottish attitude to sport.
Anyway, good luck to whoever’s playing Murray, and roll on another Federer win.
- Bob, Cheam
Tinkerbelle - the topic here is about a tennis player, not about where I currently live. Stick to the subject, dear.
- Jock, London
he's so over rated! He got lucky yesterday. With his annoying face and miserable attitude it's a wonder why people are supporting him! "Anyone but him"
- Farah, London
Curious that "Jock" does not appear to live in Scotland ... so much for his beloved country.
- Tinkerbelle, london
Steve, calm down dear boy, you'll give yourself a heart attack.
- Seabee, London, UK
God I hate The BBC! "A game of national importance", "a decision was made". What a load of self important twaddle. Making themselves sound like this group of wise elders whose selfless task is to look after the welfare and integrity of the nation.
it's a wonder they didn't echo Gordon Brown; "we showed the whole match because it was the right thing to do".
It's a game of tennis which they have the rights to because they are effectively granted a monopoly over events like this and they are gorged with money because we are forced under pain of imprisonment to give it to them.
Of course they showed the whole match (which broadcaster in their right mind wouldn't, although all this BBC1 vs BBC2 nonsense is simply more condescension).
But the fact is, they could have shown five hours of tiddly-winks and their privileged position would not have been affected one iota.
- Steve, London, UK
While he's winning he'll be regarded by most as British. When he loses, he'll be regarded by most folk in England as Scottish.
So perhaps Murray's just fed up, like a lot of Scots, with the arrogance that accompanies English involvement in sport, and it's fans - particularly in football and rugby.
I just wonder if the anti-Murray comments stem from jealousy, and the fact that Murray could win Wimbledon? Something Tim Henman failed to do.
Good luck, Andy! Make Scotland proud!
- Jock, London
Shame. Was so hoping Wawrinka would win. Murray will forever be remembered as being anti-English.
- Tinkerbelle, london
Great game, bit of a Henman anxiety to it!
"Programme controllers moved EastEnders, .." ~ shame they couldn't cancel it outright, would save a couple of bob!
- Frank, Home Counties, England.
These people seriously need to get a life.
- Thomas, London
Is this the Andy Murray who said I cheer for anyone except England?
- Ereed, Bournemouth,UK
