Andy Murray savours 'amazing' Centre Court opportunity after winning start at Wimbledon

Andy Murray said he is savouring every opportunity to play on Wimbledon's Centre Court after the two-time champion recovered from a slow start to defeat Australian James Duckworth in the first round on Monday.

Murray, who in 2013 ended a 77-year wait for a home male Wimbledon champion before winning the title again three years later, shrugged off dropping the first set to claim a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 victory and set up a second-round clash with big-serving American John Isner.

The former world No 1, currently ranked 52nd, has spent much of the past four years battling against a career-threatening hip injury which required hip resurfacing surgery in 2019 in an attempt to extend his career.

Murray has struggled with a litany of other injuries, too, and entered Wimbledon having recently sustained an abdominal strain during his run to the Stuttgart Open final in the lead-up to the Grand Slam tournament.

Now 35, the Scot is in the latter stages of his career but proved on Monday he can still be a threat at Wimbledon and on his favoured grass courts.

"It's amazing to be back out here again with a full crowd after the last few years. It's an amazing atmosphere," Murray said to cheers on the historic arena that is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.

"Obviously I'm getting on a bit now so I don't know how many more opportunities I'll get to play on this court so I want to make the most of every time I get to come out here.

"Hopefully I'll get another match here in a couple of days."

Encouragingly for Murray, who preserved his record of never losing in the Wimbledon first round, he appeared to be moving smoothly and said "the ab felt absolutely fine today".

Duckworth, who like Murray has battled back from hip surgery, had