ANDY Murray’s bid for Wimbledon glory won royal backing in Wimbledon on Monday (June 27) as Prince William and Catherine arrived at Centre Court to watch the Scot’s fourth round victory over Frenchman Richard Gasquet.
The newlyweds took their seats in the royal box to loud applause just moments before fourth seed Murray and Gasquet took to the court on a ferociously hot afternoon in southwest London.
Murray, who reached the quarter-finals with an impressive 7-6 (7/3), 6-3, 6-2 win, bowed to the royal couple as he left the court.
But he admitted he had been stunned by their presence in the royal box.
“It was nice. I didn’t know they would be there,” he said.
“As I walked off the practice courts a journalist told me. I didn’t practice the bow – I didn’t know if my source was correct or if they were winding me up.
“I think it’s great for tennis any time you can get royalty to come along.”
Gasquet admitted that seeing the couple had been the only highlight of a disappointing afternoon.
“It’s very nice for tennis and for me to see them. I will have a great memory. But I didn’t lose because they came, no,” he insisted.
William and Kate’s visit to Wimbledon was a private affair and not to fulfil any royal duties.
Murray is facing Gasquet with a place in the quarter-finals at stake as he attempts to become the first Briton to win the Wimbledon men’s title since Fred Perry in 1936.