Andy Murray defends use of cheeky underarm serve in Wimbledon opener against James Duckworth

By Matias Grez, CNN

Updated 0848 GMT (1648 HKT) June 28, 2022

Andy Murray beat Australia's James Duckworth in four sets in the first round at Wimbledon.

(CNN)Andy Murray defended the use of the underarm serve he deployed during his first-round win at Wimbledon over Australia's James Duckworth.

After his 4-6 6-3 6-2 6-4 victory, Murray explained in his post-match press conference that the decision to use the uncommon shot, more often used by his friend and fellow tennis star Nick Kyrgios, was a tactical one.Funnily enough, Murray's execution of the serve wasn't especially pinpoint, with the shot too high and too long, but he won the point regardless.Novak Djokovic gets Wimbledon title defense off the ground with battling win«He [Duckworth] changed his return position, that's why I did it,» Murray told reporters. «He was standing very close to return. He was struggling a little bit on the first-serve return, so he stepped probably two meters further back. As soon as I saw him step further back, I threw the underarm serve in.»I personally have no issue with players using it. I never have. Certainly, more and more players have started returning from further, further behind the baseline now to give themselves an advantage to return.Read More«The underarm serve is a way of saying, 'If you're going to step back there, then I'm going to possibly throw that in.'»There seems to be the unusual notion among a small minority of tennis fans that the underarm serve is in some way disrespectful to the opposing player.READ: Britain's Jodie Burrage comes to the aid of unwell ball boy with sweets during first round Wimbledon matchBritain's Jodie Burrage comes to the aid of unwell ball boy with sweets during first round Wimbledon matchMurray