Jonny Marray wins Wimbledon men's doubles title
7th July 2012
Jonny Marray became the first British man to win a Wimbledon doubles title in 76 years alongside Danish partner Freddie Neilsen on Saturday.
The wild cards defeated Robert Lindstedt & Horia Tecau 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(5), 6-7(5), 6-3 in three hours and 20 minutes to win the title.
Speaking after the match, Marray said: "I just wanted to cherish every moment. Thanks to Freddie. It was meant to be."
He added: “I’ve been saying to Freddie I do not feel any kind of different or anything, I don’t know, I suppose it will take time to sink in.
When I see my friends and family and speak to them about it, over the course of a few days, a few weeks, I’m sure it will sink in a bit more.”
The last Britons to reach the men's doubles final were Bobby Wilson and Mike Davies in 1960.
Lindstedt & Tecau, who were seeded fifth in The Championships, took the lead in the opener when 28 year-old Neilsen was broken in the seventh game of the set.
Marray & Neilsen however remained undaunted and calmly fought back against the 2011 runners-up, taking the set into a tie-break. In the breaker, Marray showed some unbelievable sportsmanship after his racket hit the net but no fault was called. Sheffield born Marray owned up to his error and the umpire awarded the point to Lindstedt & Tecau. In spite of this, the British/Danish duo closed out the set taking a 2-1 lead.
Another close tie-break set followed and Marray & Neilsen, who were at one point leading 5-2 in the breaker, lost five points in a row seeing the Swedish/Romanian keep the match alive.
However as rain started to fall on Centre Court, players left and the roof was closed.
Speaking about the break off court, Marray said: “Fred had a bit of an issue with his wrist. He could find out what it was. It actually helped us a little bit. We kind of went back out, he was thinking easier, not as much concerned about it. It was a nice atmosphere under the roof as well.”
Once back on court, play went in favour of the British/Danish pairing as they monopolised early on and broke the Tecau serve in the second game of the fifth and final set.
Aptly, Marray served out the match, and the win was sealed after Neilsen hit a drop volley winner.
Meanwhile Evan Hoyt, who was the last of the British juniors in action, was narrowly defeated in the semi-finals of the boys' doubles alongside South African partner Wayne Montgomery. The pair faced Italian duo Matteo Donati & Pietro Licciardi but were beaten 7-6(4), 7-6(5).
Elsewhere in the wheelchair tennis event, top seeds Robin Ammerlaan & Ronald Vink (NED) defeated British pairing Marc McCarroll & Gordon Reid (GBR) 6-2, 6-2. They will be in action again on Sunday as they play a third place play-off against Stephane Houdet and Nicolas Peifer (FRA).
In the last day of The Championships, Andy Murray will be on court bidding to be the first British men's singles champion for 76 years when he faces six-time champion Roger Federer at 14:00 BST.