Andy Murray‘s stint as a pundit for the BBC has got off to a good start as the Scot was voted less boring than Tim Henman in a poll that was suggest by the pair themselves.
Murray, who pulled out of Wimbledon before the tournament started as he continues to regain his full fitness from a hip surgery he underwent early this year, was in the BBC studio at Wimbledon on Tuesday, joined by Henman and Sue Barker, and will be commentating on the men’s quarter-final matches on Wednesday.
Henman started things off by asking Murray: “If there was an opinion poll and the public were asked, who do they think is more boring, me or you, who do you think they’d go for? It’s tight isn’t it?”
Murray replied: “It would be tight. Well could we do it? Could we sort that out?”
Barker promised the poll would go on the BBC website and the results are in. They’re not as tight as they thought it would be with Henman voted more boring than Murray by 65 per cent of the people who took part in the poll.
An interesting first question from Tim Henman for Andy Murray…
Watch on @BBCOne#bbctennis #wimbledon pic.twitter.com/O6rg8fqFhw
— BBC Tennis (@bbctennis) July 10, 2018
Murray on Henman getting voted more boring than he is by 65% of voters in BBC online poll: “I was expecting a bigger margin to be honest. Did you message all your family to go and vote?
— Reem Abulleil (@ReemAbulleil) July 11, 2018
Murray, a self-professed tennis nerd, is exactly the stats geek we thought he was.
From nailing Serena Williams’ Grand Slam semi-final appearance count, to the number of tiebreaks and sets Milos Raonic and John Isner have played against each other.
His analysis on Tuesday ranged from breaking down Angelique Kerber’s mental struggles last season, to saying Novak Djokovic can beat everyone left in the tournament.
It’s only a couple of days of work but it’s fair to say that Murray has already outperformed many pundits who have been doing this for years.
Been waiting for this all day. Rafa v DelPo with Murray in the commentary box. Yes please! #wimbleMuzz pic.twitter.com/9rnpKArb4Q
— Reem Abulleil (@ReemAbulleil) July 11, 2018
Things you learn from Andy Murray today:
Nadal’s second serve is underrated. Says Nadal is actually number one in history in points won on his second serve.
— Reem Abulleil (@ReemAbulleil) July 11, 2018
Things you learn from Andy Murray today:
6 of the guys in the quarters (including Nadal), are in the top-11 of all-time in second-serve points won on grass.
— Reem Abulleil (@ReemAbulleil) July 11, 2018
THE SERENA SHOW
Meanwhile, Serena Williams has been asked in nearly every press conference this fortnight when her friend, Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, would be coming to watch any of her matches at Wimbledon.
Williams, who attended the royal wedding, joined Markle at a polo match before the tournament and has been saying she needs to keep winning matches in order for her friend to come down to SW19.
Now that the American is in the semi-finals, will Markle make an appearance in the Royal Box?
“I don’t know. Just stay tuned, right?” said Williams with a smile.
She then tapped her hands against the table, mimicking a drum roll, and added: “Stay tuned for the next episode, Serena Williams: Centre Court.”
That’s a show I would binge-watch on Netflix.