‘I had multiple conversations’ – Andy Murray reveals Wimbledon scheduling frustrations and late Centre Court starts

Andy Murray has revealed he asked Wimbledon organisers not to schedule him last on Centre Court because of concerns over late finishes – and says the 1.30pm start time is a “basic thing to change”.

The match did not start until 7.46pm and Murray looked to be in the ascendancy as he led by two sets to one before play was suspended shortly ahead of the 11pm curfew.

When it resumed the next day it was Tsitsipas who prevailed to end Murray’s hopes.

It was not the only late-night finish at Wimbledon as Novak Djokovic saw a match postponed overnight and also narrowly beat the curfew in a contest that didn’t start until 8.40pm.

Ahead of playing the US Open, Murray has spoken about his frustrations with the Wimbledon scheduling and the 1.30pm start on Centre Court.

“It seems like a basic thing to change. Just go back to the 1pm start or even 12.30pm. But it’s a financial reason they are doing it for, so it won’t change.

“I had multiple conversations before the start of the tournament and asked not to play the third match every single day because that’s what is going to happen with the 1.30 start and the breaks in between the matches.

“The roof, in my opinion, was there for when it rains so that there are always matches that can go on for the fans and for TV, and it’s great. [But] it feels like it’s getting used now for darkness to play matches later in the evening.

“When you get that third slot, you have no way of practising on an indoor grass court. It’s not possible. I skipped the French Open to prepare to play my best tennis at Wimbledon but then you’re playing every match under different conditions than what you’re preparing for.

“You play an indoor match, the next day you are outside practising, then you come out to play again and it’s indoors and then we got stopped for time. The following day you are playing outdoors. It’s not a major thing but anyone that plays tennis knows playing indoors and outdoors is not the same. It’s a very different feeling.”

Wimbledon is the only Grand Slam with a curfew, but not the only one where late-night finishes can cause issues for players.

“Generally it’s just not good for anyone,” added Murray.

“Often when the players complain about that stuff, you hear, ‘Oh, shut up and get on with it. Try working in a warehouse from nine to five.’

“I do get that. I know I’m fortunate to be playing tennis. It’s just that tennis is also partly entertainment. I don’t think it helps the sport much when you’re playing at 4am.

“Everyone’s leaving because they have to go and get public transport home and you finish a match like that in front of 10 per cent of the crowd. You don’t see it in other sports so it’s clearly wrong.”

Murray plays Corentin Moutet in his opening match at the US Open on Tuesday.

Murray won the US Open in 2012 and made the third round last year.