Queen's Club 2011: Andy Murray's girlfriend Kim Sears produces dramatic display
Last updated at 8:09 AM on 14th June 2011
He put on an impressive display on the court – but her performance from the sidelines was almost as dramatic.
Kim Sears laughed, cheered, grimaced and at times couldn’t bear to look as her boyfriend Andy Murray became the king of Queen’s Club yesterday.
Miss Sears, who has been going out with the British number one for six years, endured a visible rollercoaster of emotions as Murray battled for two-and-a-half hours to beat Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in three sets.
Home support: Kim Sears reacts as boyfriend Andy Murray of Britain plays his singles final against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France at the Queen's Club Championships
The 23-year-old English Literature
graduate is a constant courtside fixture at Murray’s matches, and
yesterday’s nail-biting final will be good preparation for the start of
Wimbledon next week.
Miss Sears, dressed casually in jeans, pumps and a white T-shirt, punched the air as she watched the 24-year-old Scot win 3-6, 7-6, 6-4, securing his second Aegon Championship title and the £68,000 prize.
Fans began queueing in the streets around the West London club from 2am to secure tickets for the rain-delayed final.
Andy Murray of celebrates a crucial point in yesterday's final against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on his way to winning his second Queen's club title in three years
Only 1,000 tickets had been held back on the gate after Sunday's scheduled match was postponed due to heavy rain.
Tournament Director Chris Kermode said: 'After a frustrating day on Sunday it was very rewarding and encouraging to see the huge reaction to tickets going on sale for the Monday final.
'To sell out within an hour is a
measure of the popularity of the tournament and the players that
ticket-holders will get to see.
The waiting game: Tennis fans queued around the streets of Barons Court to buy tickets to see Andy Murray play in the final on day eight of the AEGON Championship at Queen's Club
Snapped up: This lucky lady was the final person allowed to buy one of just 100 £10 tickets for Murray's match
No rain, no gain: Murray fans braved the wet weather to buy tickets to his match
Lucky: This woman was beaming after gaining a £10 ticket to see Andy Murray play in the Queen's Club final
Crowd control: Police marshalled the massive queue which snaked its way throughout West London
'Andy Murray is one of the very best tennis players in the world, while Jo-Wilfried Tsonga oozes charisma.'
It was the third time the tournament, a traditional prelude to Wimbledon but with a stellar list of champions, had been decided on a Monday.
John
McEnroe claimed the title in 1979 and Boris Becker won the second of
his four Queen's titles in 1987, when he beat Jimmy Connors.
Ping pong: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Andy Murray relaxed playing table tennis as they waited for the rain to stop before their final at the Queen's Club
Ace result: Andy Murray shakes hands with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga after winning their singles final match
But the omens of a Monday victory are not great.
McEnroe went on to lose in the fourth round at Wimbledon and Becker in the second round.
This year's Queen's final had been scheduled for a mid-day start on Sunday but persistent heavy rain in London meant the players never even managed to take the court.
The covers briefly came off mid-afternoon but that window of opportunity only lasted long enough for the lines to be re-painted before the rain returned.
Murray and Tsonga had to find their own fun. Murray kept himself busy in the changing room discussing with his support staff the best make of British car before thoughts turned to the best way of entertaining the fans during a rain delay.
The world number four admitted via Twitter he would have been happy to play on in the rain, though it is doubtful whether his entourage would have been so keen given Murray's recent ankle trouble.
In the end, Murray had to settle for a game of table-tennis against Tsonga, which he lost two sets to one.
The remaining tickets were available on the gate at Queen's Club at £10 each.
Ticket-holders from Sunday will receive a full refund and an opportunity to purchase tickets for the semi-finals and final of next year's tournament.
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All those harping back to his 'anyone but the English' JOKE, this is why Andy appears so miserable at British press conferences. If you are a true tennis fan (and not just commenting for the sake of it) and you watch him at foreign tournaments, he is always smiling and joking. He obviously daren't crack another joke in the UK as he knows what happened last time. He is a very good player..if you listen to ex players (Agassi, Becker, McEnroe) commentating, they all rate him. Imagine the pressure he feels at having to 'break his duck' and win his first grand slam. Give him a break.
- Laura, Liverpool, 14/6/2011 11:32
I would not go see Murray play for free! D'on't like the guy and lord knows what Kim see's in him ££ perhaps! Anyone to win Wimbledon but Murray!
- Celeb_Watcher 2011, UK, 14/6/2011 11:29
He once said he would vote for anyone but England well thats exactly how I feel about him.
- Jim,The Realist, South of Geordie Land., 14/6/2011 10:45
O deary me! Didn't think that people residing in England were so against the Scots. Perhaps these people would gladly see Scotland get their independence. I'm firmly against this and thought that if it does happen I would move south of the border but with all these anti Scottish posts don't think it would be wise. Big R card here. If you go north of Perth and especially north of Inverness the only accents you hear from workers in the shops, in tourist attractions and indeed owners of B & Bs are English! Lots of Londoners living up there permanently. Feels like little England and moreover these people love it.
- Nel, Edinburgh, 14/6/2011 10:30
Sue Barker won the French Open!!! - maureen, alicante, 13/6/2011 17:45 Yes she did, BUT that was the year most of the top players were not there as they were playing team tennis instead!!!!
- Lynda , Guildford, 14/6/2011 10:23
Boo to you. You will never be a champion of real distinction. You are going to get clobbered at Wimbledon when the gremlins come out. - Carla, Southampton, UK, What an over the top nasty comment - miaow! Well done Andy and good luck at Wimbledon!
- Eva Meredith-Jones, Newtown Powys, 14/6/2011 10:13
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