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Dramatic day at Wimbledon as Nadal crashes out in the first round while his old foe Andy Murray is home and dry with a straight set win... and guess who had a prime seat in the royal box?
Hundreds of campers spend damp night waiting for tickets to see Murray
Olympics and US Open winner beats
German Benjamin Becker 6-4 6-3 6-2
Pippa and James Middleton in attendance along with Condoleezza Rice.
(Rice managed to worm her way into the Royal Box)
Cloudy first morning but pleasant weather expected for opening week
Murray, 26, promised expectant fans he'll 'give everything on the court'
One in 18 London workers plans to skive off work during championship
Shock as Rafael Nadal exits in straight sets to Steve Darcis on Court 1
Murray (right) walked onto Centre Court today to launch his challenge with a match against Germany’s Benjamin Becker, and he won comfortably in straight sets - 6-4, 6-3, 6-2. Fans had expressed high hopes for the 26-year-old Scot, who once again hopes to make Wimbledon history and become the first British man to take the trophy since Fred Perry in 1936.
Meanwhile a major shock happened as Rafael Nadal (left) crashed out after losing in straight sets to Belgian Steve Darcis on Court One.
Among those watching play from the Royal Box were the Duchess of Cambridge's sister Pippa Middleton (bottom right). Murray's girlfriend Kim Sears (bottom left) was also in attendance.
Murray mania rippled through south-west London today as the British number one confidently kicked off his Wimbledon campaign with a straight sets win at the All England Club.
Hundreds of campers had spent a damp night waiting for tickets to see Andy Murray’s first match - with some arriving as early as Saturday afternoon to ensure a place on Centre Court.
Murray walked onto Centre Court this afternoon to launch his challenge with a match against Germany’s Benjamin Becker, and he won comfortably in straight sets - 6-4 6-3 6-2.
But it wasn't plain sailing for Murray's old foe Rafael Nadal, who astonishingly crashed out after losing in straight sets to Belgian Steve Darcis on Court One - 7-6 (7/4) 7-6 (10/8) 6-4.
Celebrations: Britain's Andy Murray acknowledges the crowd after his first round victory at Wimbledon
Victory: Andy Murray celebrates defeating Germany's Benjamin Becker during day one of Wimbledon
In action: Andy Murray of Britain returns to Benjamin Becker of Germany during their first round match today
Lone contender? While Murray mania spreads through SW19, there is less hope for Britain’s other offerings, with bookmakers William Hill giving odds of 8/1 that only one of 10 Brits in the two main draws makes it through
Leaping: Andy Murray hits a return to Benjamin Becker of Germany during their men's singles tennis match
Proud: Kim Sears applauds as Andy Murray defeats Germany's Benjamin Becker during day one of Wimbledon
Huge shock: Steve Darcis of Belgium celebrates (below) after defeating Rafael Nadal (above) of Spain in the singles
Defeat: Rafael Nadal was not at his best by a long stretch as he was defeated by Steve Darcis of Belgium
Arrival: Pippa and James Middleton are shown to their seats in the Royal Box on Centre Court at Wimbledon
Royal discussions: Pippa Middleton (centre) talks to Britain's Princess Michael of Kent in the Royal Box
Tennis fans: Pippa and James Middleton in the Royal Box on Centre Court during day one of Wimbledon
Smiles: Pippa and James Middleton in the Royal Box on Centre Court prior to first round action at Wimbledon
Outside: Spectators crowd the steps around Murray Mount to watch the big screen on day one of Wimbledon
Here we are: Stewards lead crowds into the grounds at the start of day one of the Wimbledon Championships
Fans had expressed high hopes for the 26-year-old Scot, who once again hopes to make Wimbledon history and become the first British man to take the trophy since Fred Perry in 1936.
Among those watching play from the Royal Box this afternoon were the Duchess of Cambridge's sister Pippa Middleton, her brother James and former U.S. secretary of state Condoleezza Rice.
Others due to attend included Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, racing driver Sir Jackie Stewart, actress Felicity Kendal, athlete Denise Lewis and defending doubles champion Jonny Marray.
Meanwhile a major shock happened as Rafael Nadal crashed out after losing in straight sets to Belgian Steve Darcis on Court One.
The crowds have not yet been deterred by the miserable weather over the past few days.
Pam Barnes, 49, of Liverpool, was the first to arrive in the now-famous Wimbledon queue in SW19 - but insisted the two-night wait was worth it to secure a seat on Centre Court.
‘It was cold and wet and there were no loos on Saturday night, but it was definitely worth coming early,’ she said. ‘You always want to get onto Centre Court.
‘We got here at 4pm on Saturday to cheer on Murray. I think we are all more excited because he won at the Olympics and the U.S. Open - he’s on the brink of getting this Wimbledon title.’
The healthcare coordinator, who travelled to SW19 with her daughter Kayleigh, 22, a student, and her boyfriend Danny McNulty, 25, an aircraft engineer, was one of an estimated 3,000 people who were already lined up by 7am this morning, apparently undeterred by the weather.
But many expressed amazement that their early arrival was not early enough to land seats on either Centre Court or Court One.
Ready to go: Tennis fans are held back by stewards during day one of the Wimbledon Championships
Waiting: Members of the public queue to enter the grounds on the first day of the tennis championships
Keeping busy: Fans queue for entry into the grounds on day one of the Wimbledon Championships in London
Queues: Fans this morning expressed high hopes for Andy Murray, who once again hopes to make Wimbledon history and become the first British man to take the trophy since Fred Perry in 1936
WAGs arrive: Jamie Murray's wife Alejandra Gutierrez (above) and Andy Murray's girlfriend Kim Sears (below)
Ready: Serena Williams seen at the practice courts today. Her coach Patrick Mouratoglouto follows behind
Support: Mirka Federer (above), wife of Roger Federer of Switzerland, sits on Centre Court to watch her husband play Victor Hanescu of Romania in their men's singles match. Prince Michael of Kent is also pictured (below)
Famous faces: Supermodel Naomi Campbell (above) and former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (below)
In discussion: Former U.S. secretary of state Condoleezza Rice (left) talks with Pippa Middleton at Centre Court
(-No idea how Rice managed to worm her way into the Royal Box)
Posed up: Mollie King of The Saturdays (top) and presenter Holly Willoughby were at Evian's Wimbledon suite
Watching on: Comedian David Mitchell was at Wimbledon with his wife, writer and presenter Victoria Coren
Lending their support: Singer Grace Jones (top) and actress Felicity Kendal both arrive at Wimbledon
On location: Rory McIlroy (top) waits for his girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki. Andy Murray's friend Ross Hutchins is seen (below). Murray is supporting the hospital treating Mr Hutchins, who has undergone chemotherapy
Many were disappointed yesterday when, 24 hours before play was due to begin, it emerged there were already more people in the queue than there were tickets to be allocated for those two courts.
NHS worker Elaine Williams, 55, of Birmingham, who queued with her husband Les, 57, for the 10th year running, said:
‘There are a lot more people here than in previous years.
‘We normally arrive at the same time - around 4.30am - and we were absolutely gob-smacked when we got here this time.’
She added: ‘We have always got tickets for court one or two but this year we may not get tickets for any of the show courts. It is really busy today which has got to be down to Murray mania.
‘But even if we only get onto the outside courts, it will have been worth it. And we will be back again tomorrow.’
Others in the queue expressed similar optimism as they warmed their hands on steaming cups of coffee or huddled under blankets.
Charlie Reid, 22, a sales worker from Manchester, travelled down to London on Saturday with friends. But the group found they had missed the chance of getting a ticket on Centre Court when they arrived in the queue at 11am yesterday.
‘You don’t expect to be 700th when you arrive at that time,’ he said.
Waiting: A man pours himself a drink while queuing for Wimbledon, while two other fans try to sleep
In good spirits: Hundreds of campers spent a damp night waiting for tickets to see the British number one's first match - with some arriving as early as Saturday afternoon to ensure a place on Centre Court
Busy: Many fans were disappointed yesterday when, 24 hours before play was due to begin, it emerged there were already more people in the queue than there were tickets to be allocated for those two courts
Cold: Fans in the queue expressed similar optimism as they warmed their hands on steaming cups of coffee
Support: Swiss tennis fans wait behind the security line during day one of the Wimbledon Championships
Graduate Shabaz Qasim, 21, also from Manchester, added: ‘It’s my first experience of Wimbledon and it’s been great. The atmosphere is very vibrant and everyone is excited.
‘They are very friendly and we are hoping for a good day of tennis.’
Meanwhile, one fan travelled all the way from Australia to watch play on the Wimbledon lawns.
Barrister Mitch McKenzie, 66, said:
‘Last Saturday I left Melbourne to come here. It’s the first time I’ve done this and I am absolutely astonished. In Australia this doesn’t happen.
‘We don’t queue to queue. I arrived here last night at 5.30pm with just what I was wearing. Someone leant me a chair so I slept in that.’
As with previous years, authorities have put special measures in place to make SW19 a tout-free area.
Wandsworth Council, Merton Council and the Metropolitan Police have launched a special two-week dispersal zone around the club, including Southfields, Wimbledon Park and Wimbledon stations.
Ready: The courts are prepared during day one of the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Club
Prepared: Chairs are cleaned on court during day one of the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Club
Expectations: Hopes are high for Andy Murray (pictured training yesterday), with William Hill putting odds for the Scot to win Wimbledon at 4/1. Punters will get their money back if he fails to make the semi-final
Forecast: Dark clouds gather yesterday over the practice courts. But despite a cloudy first morning, fans are expected to enjoy pleasant weather in the opening week of the tournament
Anyone caught selling tickets faces immediate arrest while anyone who is believed to have purchased a ticket from a tout or any other unauthorised outlet could be refused entry.
Joining Murray on the opening day of play were defending champion Roger Federer, and former winners Rafael Nadal, Lleyton Hewitt and Maria Sharapova, along with the likes of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Victoria Azarenka.
Murray’s was the third match on Centre Court following the opening encounter between Federer and Victor Hanescu, and the clash between Sharapova and Kristina Mladenovic.
Other British hopefuls playing today included Elena Baltacha, James Ward, Samantha Murray and Anne Keothavong.
Hopes were high for Murray, with bookmakers William Hill putting odds for the Scot to win Wimbledon at 4/1. Punters will get their money back if he fails to make the semi-final.
Away from the British number one, there were odds of 8/1 that only one of the 10 Britons in the two main draws makes it through.
Novak Djokovic is the 5/4 favourite to lift the men’s singles trophy, with Rafael Nadal 4/1 and Roger Federer 7/1 while Serena Williams is 2/5 to lift the ladies trophy.
Other popular odds are 8/1 for a full day’s play missed for weather reasons and 33/1 for the official caterers to run out of strawberries or champagne, William Hill said.
Judy Murray says she'll stay with son Andy during tournament for 'emotional support'... but he's still got to do his own washing
Emotional support: Judy Murray (pictured today) will move in with Andy for the duration of the tournament
Judy Murray has revealed her role in the Wimbledon assault this year.
As well as shouting encouragement from the players’ box, she will move in with her son Andy for the duration of the tournament to give him emotional support.
She said: ‘Andy is very self-driven, but at the slams you find all of the top players have their families around them – they’re the events where you probably need a bit more emotional support than others.
'It’s important to have your family and girlfriend around you. I stay with Andy during the tournament. I always have.’
But asked whether she would do her son’s washing, she answered, ‘No, he can do his own washing.’
Andy meanwhile said he has come to terms with the fact that he may not win Wimbledon - and claims this has made him a better tennis player.
The star from Dunblane, Perthshire, said yesterday that his failure to win the championship last year had taught him not to put himself under too much pressure.
He said: ‘It’s still an incredibly difficult tournament to win. The players that are around right now are so good and so consistent that it’s going to be a tough tournament for me to win.
'I’ve thought about finishing my career and not winning Wimbledon and I’m comfortable with that.’
Last year, when he lost to Roger Federer in the final, a devastated Andy shed tears on live TV.
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