Will History Repeat?

It was Queen Elizabeth the second’s silver jubilee in 1977 and Britain celebrated her 25 years on the throne in style as only the British can. To make the year all the more memorable Virginia Wade nine days before her 32nd birthday beat Betty Stove to win Wimbledon. It was the first time  the queen had attended Wimbledon in quarter of a century. It was also the last time a Briton won a Grand Slam Singles title.

Today Andy Murray will look to change that statistic when he meets Roger Federer on Centre Court in this her majesty the Queen’s 60th year on the throne. As in 1977 Great Britain has been celebrating the Queen’s milestone and it would be the ideal way to add to what has been a memorable year of celebration if Murray can overcome a man regarded by many as one of the greatest players of all time.

Federer has been a Wimbledon favourite, but he has never had to play a Briton in the final, as it has been 74 years since the host nation has had a player in the Mens Singles final. Henry ‘Bunny’ Austin being the last Briton to contest the Wimbledon final in 1938, unfortunately he could not follow Fred Perry’s victory in 1936, when he was the last male Briton to win the famed title.

Murray is one of the few male players to have the edge over Federer with eight wins to seven losses in their previous meetings, a crucial edge going into such a big match.

Also in his corner looking to be a part of a special Wimbledon victory will be his coach, former world number one Ivan Lendl who will be looking to see Murray lift the one Grand Slam trophy he himself failed to claim despite making the final in ’86 and ’87.

To add to the occasion her Majesty Queen Elizabeth is expected to attend Wimbledon once again. The BBC already expect an audience in excess of 20million and should Murray be heading for victory they could in fact break a viewing figures record for the final.