Andy Murray kicked off his Wimbledon 2023 campaign on a high as he bested compatriot Ryan Peniston by 6-3, 6-0, 6-1 on Centre Court on Tuesday afternoon. Murray brought his best to the court and has advanced to the second round.
The Brit feels he was able to grow in confidence after getting his first break in the opening set. Murray converted six of 12 break points and completed a two-hour win convincingly.
“It’s obviously amazing to be back here playing on Centre Court,” said Murray in his on-court interview. “I was quite nervous at the beginning, coming out I wanted to play well but I started off a little bit tentatively. But once I got the break in that first set, I played some good stuff as the match went on and there were some good signs there.”
In fact, Peniston created early pressure on his countryman as he got a couple of break points but Murray successfully defended both of them.
Meanwhile, eight-time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer was also in attendance as he received a standing ovation from the crowd at Centre Court. Federer saw Murray in action along with his wife Mirka and Princess of Wales, Catherine.
“It was amazing to have some royalty here, but also some tennis royalty as well,” said Murray of his former ATP Tour rival Federer. “It’s amazing to have Roger here supporting the event. Last time I was on this court and he was watching was in the [London 2012] Olympics and he was sat in Stan Wawrinka’s box supporting against me, so it’s nice to see a couple of claps today after some good shots.”
Murray had entered Wimbledon after having won at Surbiton and at Nottingham (both Challenger Level) but suffered a first-round defeat at Queen Club. The Brit registered his first win on grass at the tour level and he is feeling confident.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve felt physically this good coming into Wimbledon, which is really, really positive,” said Murray. “The last few years have been very challenging so I’m hoping I’m fit and ready for a good run.”
Murray will either face either Stefanos Tsitsipas or Dominic Thiem in the second round of Wimbledon on Thursday.
