Murray assured of high seeding at Wimbledon
WIMBLEDON champion Andy Murray has learnt his seeding for this year’s tournament will not be affected by his tumble down the world ranking’s in the last 12 months.
Murray was ranked second in the world following his win at SW19 last year, but has since fallen to eighth place – his lowest ranking since July 2008 – having struggled with a back injury at the end of 2013 and has only been beyond the quarter-finals in one event since last year’s historic triumph.
Yet tournament chiefs say Murray’s recent record in grass court tournaments ensures he will not face a harrowing draw in defence of his Wimbledon crown.
“We have a surface-based system here at Wimbledon,” said All England Lawn Tennis Club chairman Philip Brook. “So to put it into context for Andy Murray, as winner of Queen’s last year and winner here last year and a finalist here in 2012, there will be significant impact on him.”
Increases in prize money for this year’s tournament were disclosed by the AELTC yesterday, who also said they will not take any special steps to avoid a repeat of the mass withdrawal of players seen last year due to injuries suffered on court.
CHANGES AT SW19
Prize money
■ Total prize fund up 10.8 per cent
■ Champion’s cheque is £1.76m
■ First round losers receive £27,000
Court closures
■ No play on Courts 14 or 15 this year due to renovations
Future
■ Planning application for roof on Court One to be submitted this year. Completion intended for 2019 event