Wimbledon LIVE with BBC Sue Barker fears as Russian gets ‘extra motivation’

Wimbledon: Clare Balding looks forward to seeing new stars of tennis

We’re just 24 hours away from the start of Wimbledon. The 2023 Championships at the iconic All England Club get underway on the lush green grass courts on Monday morning with a whole host of men and women looking for glory in their respective categories – men’s singles, women’s singles, mixed doubles, men’s doubles and women’s doubles.

Reigning men’s champion Novak Djokovic is Monday’s headline act with last year’s women’s winner Elena Rybakina not playing until Tuesday, when two-time British titleist Andy Murray is also in action.

Some of Monday’s most exciting matches see Coco Gauff face fellow American Sofia Kenin, Britain’s Harriet Dart take on Swiss 14th seed Belinda Bencic and Venus Williams go head-to-head with Ukrainian Elina Svitolina. Women’s world No 1 Iga Swiatek plays against Zhu Lin.

In the men’s draw, Djokovic starts his defence against Pedro Cachin of Argentina. Last year’s runner-up Nick Kyrgios plays David Goffin and of the Brits, Dan Evans takes on Frenchman Quentin Halys, Liam Broady faces Constant Letienne – another French player – while Jan Choinski takes on Djokovic’s fellow Serbian Dusan Lajovic.

Express Sport rounds up all the latest tennis news below…

Murray teases Saudi U-turn

Andy Murray has suggested he could play in Saudi Arabia if the ATP introduce events in the Middle East – despite previously declaring he would never do so.

The two-time Wimbledon champ has previously said no to lucrative Saudi exhibitions but tennis is now in talks for the Gulf state to invest in the men’s and women’s games.

Former world No 1 Murray said: “In the past when we were asked to go and play there, we were asked to go and play exhibition tournaments.

“If they become major tournaments on the tour it becomes a slightly different question and it’s a difficult one based on how the tour and the rankings and everything work, how important they are to get into other events and stuff.

“When you start missing them, you obviously get penalised for that. It’s definitely something I would have to think about. Unfortunately it’s the way that a lot of sports seem to be going now.”

Medvedev has ‘extra motivation’

Daniil Medvedev says he has ‘extra motivation’ to do well at Wimbledon this year – but not because he was banned from competing 12 months ago.

The Russian was not allowed to play at SW19 in 2022 due to his country’s war on Ukraine. But he’s back this year and hoping to get past the fourth round for the first time in his career.

On his return, he said: “I really missed playing Wimbledon. I’ve always loved it. The first time I came I thought it was the best tournament in the world. Every time I come back, I feel really special.

“I was disappointed not to be able to play last year. I couldn’t play, I followed the rules and spent time with my family.

“But it doesn’t give me extra motivation for this year – that comes from Wimbledon being my worst Slam in terms of results.”

McEnroe’s Barker BBC fears

John McEnroe has expressed fears about Sue Barker’s BBC absence. The 67-year-old hosted the Beeb’s coverage for the final time last year and has retired from broadcasting.

Clare Balding will take Barker’s place but McEnroe, a Wimbledon legend himself, said to the i Paper: “That is going to be a bummer.

“Sue is a legend. She was incredible at what she did, so it’s going to be a void. It’s like when [Bjorn] Borg didn’t play.

“For us, it was a huge thing. So especially since I’ve been doing this, the other side, the commentary side, for as long as I have been doing it with her, she just makes it easier for everyone around her.

“And she did that for 25 years or something. So it’s a tough act to follow.”

Clair Balding pays tribute to Sue Barker

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