Jamie Murray rules out Andy Murray Wimbledon doubles reunion this year

Simon Briggs
Jamie Murray wants to give himself the best chance of winning the men's doubles title - PA
Jamie Murray wants to give himself the best chance of winning the men's doubles title - PA

Having entertained a sell-out crowd under Wimbledon’s brand-new No. 1 Court roof, Jamie Murray torpedoed the theory that he might team up with brother Andy for the men’s doubles event in SW19 this summer.

While Andy is still optimistic of resuming his professional career after having a metal hip socket implanted in February, he is determined to take his time over the rehab process, and is unlikely to be ready for any kind of elite tennis – singles or doubles – by the beginning of July.

“Obviously it was talked about this year after what happened in Australia,” said Jamie, when the question of an all-Murray doubles team was raised at Wimbledon on Sunday. “But I don’t think it’s going to happen this year.

"For me, these are the peak years in my career and if I go to play Wimbledon with someone who hasn’t hit a tennis ball in eight months, I’m kind of giving up one of those years, so that’s a big decision for me to take.

"Circumstances might dictate otherwise, but I want to give myself the best chance of winning the tournament. Normally I would have a good chance with Andy, but probably right now he’s not in his peak moment."

Murray was among those to play on Wimbledon's No.1 Court on Sunday to mark the unveiling of the new closing roof - Credit: Getty Images
Murray was among those to play on Wimbledon's No.1 Court on Sunday to mark the unveiling of the new closing roof Credit: Getty Images

As the All England Club performed the formal test event for their new £200m facility, Jamie shared a mixed-doubles match with three giants of the past: John McEnroe, Martina Navratilova and Kim Clijsters.

Four other former Wimbledon champions also attended, in Venus Williams, Goran Ivanisevic, Lleyton Hewitt and Pat Cash, while the 12,000-strong audience on the new-look No. 1 Court were treated to music from Paloma Faith and Maltese tenor Joseph Calleja.

After her own hit-out against Clijsters, Williams spoke about the way the roof reflects sound back down to the crowd. “You hear that echo of the ball and you hear the crack. The orchestra … I hope they keep that for the tournament – it’s amazing! It was a very, very special vibe.”