Wildcard team of Marray and Nielsen Capture Doubles Title

WIMBLEDON – Jonathan Marray ended 76 years of futility in the gentlemen’s doubles competition at Wimbledon for Great Britain. Britain’s Marray teamed with Denmark’s Frederik Nielsen to defeat Robert Lindstedt of Sweden and Horia Tecau of Romania 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (5), 6-7 (5), 6-3 for the Gentlemen’s doubles title. The victory marks the first time since 1936 that a British man has won the men’s doubles title. The winning duo gained entry into the tournament as a wildcard.

Nielsen also made some history of his own becoming the first Danish man to win a major title in doubles. His grandfather Kurt was a Wimbledon men’s finalist in 1953 and 1955. Kurt also won the mixed doubles title with Althea Gibson at the US Open in 1957.

Marray commented on all of the history involved with the win, “Obviously we get bombarded with the facts every time we do an interview because, like you said, it is historical.  If you look at the history books, it hasn’t happened a lot, especially from a pretty small tennis country as Denmark in my case.

“It’s something we think about in the interviews when we get asked.  On the court I didn’t think about it at all, not a second.”

“I don’t think particularly because of my family history,” said Nielsen. “It means more because it’s Wimbledon.  Maybe because of my family history I have a different relationship with Wimbledon.  That’s possible.

“But I don’t think the fact that my granddad used to do well is going to make it even more special.  I think the fact that it is just Wimbledon, it carries its name by itself pretty well.

“I’m pretty sure that the fact that it’s just Wimbledon is enough for me.”

Marray is still in disbelief about the victory: “I’ve been saying to Freddy, I don’t feel any kind of different or anything.  I don’t know.  It’s just like winning another tennis match.  I suppose it will take time to sink in.

“When I see my friends and family and speak to them about it, over the course of a few days, a few weeks, I’m sure it will sink in a bit more.”

Marray talked about his expectations coming in to the tournament: “I thought we could do well because, like I said, I just missed out on entry with someone else to the tournament.  I played with Freddy the week before.  I know Freddy well, know his game, and thought we could play well together.

“After having a good week in Nottingham a couple weeks ago, I really thought we could do well here.  Obviously I didn’t think we could ever win it, but as the week went on we kept gaining confidence and coming through some tight matches.

“You know, your expectations kind of grow a little bit and your confidence grows, and obviously the end result is we got the win, so…”

With Andy Murray in the singles final on Sunday, Marray hopes that his win will inspire his fellow Brit.

“I’m sure he was watching,” Marray said of Murray. “He follows how all the guys do.  We’re friends and everything.  I’m sure he was watching it.

“Yeah, if it gives him any kind of inspirational help, I’m sure it would be good.  But I don’t know.”