Wimbledon 2024 is nearing its conclusion but this year might be remembered more for the off-court drama than the matches themselves.
The competing storylines of Wimbledon 2024
That’s not to say that the 2024 event has been short of action. On the contrary, we’ve been treated to a feast of good tennis, particularly in the women’s category as the indomitable Elena Rybakina makes a charge for her second Wimbledon title. If you bet on Women’s Wimbledon 2024, you’ll see that the Kazakhstani player is the outright favorite at odds of +110 to do so.
Realistically, the only player capable of stopping Rybakina this year might be Jasmine Paolini who is priced at +300 in the latest tennis odds for Wimbledon 2024. It will be a battle royale in the women’s and indeed the men’s categories as Novak Djokovic tries to halt the changing of the guard.
However, whatever ends up happening, the fact is that we might have already had the biggest story this year following the drama around Andy Murray’s ‘canceled’ Wimbledon farewell.
A storm in a teacup
Murray’s Wimbledon farewell has made for box-office viewing while having little to do with tennis as he was supposedly left high and dry by his mixed doubles partner due to complaints of a stiff wrist which could potentially worsen before the next round of the women’s singles tournament.
This decision sparked ire among Murray’s supporters, particularly his mother, Judy, who called it an “astonishing decision” on Twitter, only to later clarify that she was being “sarcastic”.
Fellow player Dan Evans also criticized the decision, stating that Murray’s partner “should have been fully committed”.
Murray himself was said to be extremely upset by the late pull-out which ultimately denied him the chance to say goodbye to a Grand Slam he loves.
However, Murray did get a chance to bid adieu to the All England Club 24 hours before his mixed doubles match when playing alongside his brother Jamie in the doubles competition on Center Court.
The organizers even arranged for the much-loved Sue Barker to briefly come out of retirement to conduct Murray’s last interview in front of adoring fans at the All England Club. Unsurprisingly, the emotional farewell included tears and long-standing ovations which made for a moving goodbye to one of Wimbledon’s favorite sons.
Despite these touching gestures though, it seems Murray and his entourage wanted more.
It’s worth noting that Murray lost his doubles match with Jamie and hasn’t progressed past the round of 16 in any event in more than a year. Realistically, the Scot was never going to win these competitions and was merely there to say goodbye, which he was afforded by a series of thoughtful gestures by the All England Club.
There is a time to come and a time to go
Goodbyes are far more meaningful when they aren’t drawn out and as they say, the show must go on with Wimbledon bigger than any individual. The world will miss Andy Murray’s brilliance on the court but less so the sense of unnecessary indignation that sometimes accompanies him around.
