Andrew Castle fires warning to Wimbledon stars after Andy Murray wish granted

Andy Murray has been backed to have “one last big hurrah” at Wimbledon after being granted his wish to get home early on Tuesday to put his kids to bed.

The father-of-four pleaded with the All England Club for an earlier starting time for his British derby with wildcard Ryan Peniston. And the first-round clash has been scheduled for the second match on Centre Court on Tuesday - his earliest start in his home Grand Slam since the 2017 quarter-finals.

The double champion has started his last five matches at Wimbledon after 6pm in the prime time TV slot and finished under the roof. But the Scot, 36, will start his 15th Wimbledon campaign in the second match on Centre Court after defending women’s champion Elena Rybakina opens the second day at 1.30pm.

All England Club chief executive Sally Bolton said: "We think very long and hard about the scheduling and there are a lot of factors that go into it. "Andy is of course a hugely popular figure, particularly in the UK, so the ability to show him at prime-time in the UK is one that's obviously hugely appealing. But we take on board all the feedback on scheduling and try our very best to keep everybody as happy as we can."

Speaking before today’s schedule was announced, Murray said: “Usually I get given the late shift so hopefully this year they will put me on a little bit earlier so I get to see the kids in the evening because usually I am finishing at 9-9.30pm.” Victory for the unseeded Murray would set up a potential second-round clash with No.5 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas.

BBC commentator Andrew Castle said: “I think it is a real shame Andy hasn’t got a seeding. It would have helped his chances to get into the second week. Andy is not going to be thinking about winning it just yet. He just wants to win the first set of the first match. I still see he has a chance to get to the fourth round, quarter-finals and from there, who knows? He can’t go on forever but I just feel like there is one last big hurrah left in Andy.”

World No.268 Peniston, 27, has suffered a wrist injury since reaching the quarter-finals at Queen’s Club and Eastbourne last year and reaching the second round on his Wimbledon debut.

Murray has only ever played one other Brit at SW19 when he beat Liam Broady in the first round on his way to the 2016 title. But British No.5 Broady warned: “I think Ryan is so tough on the grass. Underestimate him at your peril. He beat Holger Rune last year and he had a few other good wins on the grass last year. Andy's practised with him plenty of times, so he'll know what to expect as well, but I think that'll be a good match.”

British No.6 Jan Choinski, who played doubles with cancer survivor Peniston last month, added: “Ryan is playing good grasscourt tennis, he makes a lot of balls and he fights. I couldn’t really tell you the outcome of the match. I am going to watch it as well. Let’s see.”