Wimbledon chiefs could RIP UP schedule to ensure Murray and Raducanu match does NOT clash with England’s Euro showdown
WIMBLEDON chiefs have admitted that they will be “reactive” with their scheduling of Andy Murray’s mixed doubles first round alongside Emma Raducanu.
Murray, 37, is set for a final SW19 swansong when he plays with fellow British Major champion Raducanu in the mixed event.
Wildcards Murray and Raducanu have drawn Zhang Shuai and Marcelo Arevalo in the first round.
The match is initially set to be scheduled tomorrow, but organisers, and the BBC, will be keen to ensure that it does not clash with England‘s Euro 2024 quarter-final against Switzerland.
Gareth Southgate‘s side will kick off at 5pm, with the match to be broadcast on BBC One.
Wimbledon organiser Jamie Baker, 37, has admitted that his team will be wary of the football when scheduling Murray and Raducanu’s match – but that today’s awful weather could have a devastating impact on the schedule.
The Scot said: “We just consider it one of the challenges going through the tournament.
“It’s not unusual. It’s happened quite often. Andy and Emma will be on tomorrow’s schedule definitely, but whether they get on depends on what happens today and what court depends on what happens tomorrow.
“Obviously Emma is playing singles today so again, a bit will depend on what happens with that result.”
Raducanu, 21, will play her third round singles clash against Maria Sakkari second on Centre Court on Friday.
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS
Should she triumph against the ninth seed, she will be scheduled to play again on Sunday.
Murray, meanwhile, pulled out of the men’s singles event earlier this week.
He then played in the men’s doubles alongside brother Jamie last night, receiving an emotional ceremony including Wimbledon legend Sue Barker following their 7-6 6-4 defeat.
Further quizzed on the mixed doubles scheduling, Baker added: “The things that we have to juggle is that with the football matches we know exactly what time they are but with tennis matches you don’t know exactly what time.
“You have to be a little bit reactive and we have a huge team of people who are very experienced so it’s bread and butter for them those things.”
On the extra challenges presented by the less than ideal weather, Baker continued: “It’s going to be a difficult day where we don’t get a lot of tennis.
“It’s a couple of things: yes, we obviously are going to be behind with doubles matches primarily and some of the singles matches on the outside courts.”
Raducanu has taken a keen interest in the Three Lions’ fortunes.
She wore an England shirt to practise earlier this week, and mentioned England “winning ugly” after her first round triumph over Renata Zarazua.
Murray received a glitzy retirement ceremony following his men’s doubles clash with brother Jamie – despite still being scheduled to play in the mixed.
Explaining the decision, Baker hinted that a number of factors could see Murray and Raducanu’s mixed doubles moment not happen on Centre Court.
He said: “There’s quite a lot of uncertainty around mixed doubles with people playing multiple events and the scheduling is quite a lot harder.
“We were very committed to wanting to do the celebration on Centre Court, obviously, and as the days go on we’ve got big singles matches and with them being in the doubles we wanted it to happen on Centre Court.
“So, there were a few different things, and also a lot of variables.
“They could have won three matches or four matches and equally with the mixed doubles, Emma is still in singles and we don’t quite know how that schedule is going to pan out so that was some of our thinking.”
Follow all the latest news from Wimbledon
WE'VE got Wimbledon covered - with our top team at the home of tennis.
Read all the latest news and gossip from SW19 in our BRILLIANT LIVE BLOG.