Britain's Andy Murray admitted that drug testing was a necessary if inconvenient factor after being tested four times in the last month. Murray revealed after his opening-round win over Spain's Daniel Gimeno-Traver at Wimbledon that he was woken up at 7am last Thursday to undergo a test just as he was hoping to enjoy a rare lie-in. "It's just very intrusive when you get someone in your house in the morning. When you're going to the toilet and they're staring at you, in your own home, it's just quite a strange feeling," said world No 4 Murray.
Federer's subtle start
Roger Federer, the former Wimbledon champion made an unusually low-key entrance on to Centre Court yesterday. In recent years he has paraded outfits designed for his own RF brand, including a military-style jacket and a gold-embossed tracksuit, but this year, he modelled a simple tank-top before stripping to traditional all-white shorts, polo shirt and headband.
Win-win situation
British female tennis was celebrating after UK No 3 Anne Keothavong booked her place in round two yesterday. However, British representation was never in doubt as she was playing compatriot Naomi Broady. "This is a life that I'm not going to have forever," the 27-year-old Keothavong said after her 6-2, 6-4 win. "I don't know how long I've got in this game. Injuries play a part. You have different priorities as you get older. So from my point of view I had to go out there as if it was my last Wimbledon. There's no guarantee that I'll be back again next year." Britain's Elena Baltacha also progressed with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Germany's Mona Barthel.
Singer and sport stars
Serena Williams victory over Aravane Rezai was watched by Diana Ross and England's Ashes-winning cricketers. Sitting alongside the US pop diva in the Royal Box were Kevin Pietersen and Alastair Cook. Eoin Morgan, the Irish-born England batsman, may have been more interested in events on Court 17, where Ireland's Conor Niland was playing France's Adrian Mannarino. Niland came through three qualifying rounds to be the first Irishman in the main draw since Sean Sorensen in 1977. However, he lost an epic match 4-6, 6-4, 7-6, 4-6, 6-4.
Mirza doubles dilemma
India's Sania Mirza's bid to win the Wimbledon doubles crown is resting on an ultrasound scan on an injured knee. Mirza was already carrying a niggling left knee problem but tweaked it within minutes of starting her singles first-round match against France's Virginie Razzano, which she lost 7-6, 2-6, 6-3 yesterday. The 24 year old said: "I've had the same injury since just before the French Open. I've been playing a lot on it … It is very painful. I can still serve but I can't move and change direction. I'm hurting to go up and down stairs and even to walk." Mirza and Russia's Elena Vesnina are seeded fourth in the doubles.
Win for grieving Razzano
Razzano won her first match since the death of her fiance, when she beat Mirza yesterday. Razzano said: "I don't know if it's relief for me, because when I go on the courts it's not easy for me. I play because it's my job and my passion and I must to continue." Razzano also played at the French Open last month, losing in the first round barely a week after Stephane Vidal died on May 16 at age 32 - nine years after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.
