Andy Murray defeats Oscar Otte in Wimbledon 2021 second round

The grit, the feisty comeback and the sweet triumph were all there on Wimbledon’s centre court as Andy Murray moved into the third round.

Andy Murray in action on Wimbledon’s centre court against Oscar Otte of Germany. Picture: Getty Images

What could be more British than a cool summer evening at Wimbledon and an iced Pimms in hand watching Andy Murray on centre court?

If there is one enduring summer highlight which annually boosts the nation’s spirits – ever more so after a wretched year of Covid lockdowns and misery – it’s watching the evergreen Scot hopping around seemingly on one leg (or a metal hip in Murray’s case), being applauded rapturously as he scoots around, slips, picks himself up and celebrates stunning shots with exuberant leaps and fist pumps.

It never gets old, does it?

Centre Court rides the @andy_murray rollercoaster once again 🎢#Wimbledonpic.twitter.com/mjkC92FT8F

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) June 30, 2021

For Murray, just playing right now is a monumental effort. That his Wimbledon opponent overnight (AEST) was 27-year-old journeyman German Oscar Otte, a qualifier ranked somewhere in the 100s, was irrelevant – other than he gave Murray a right fright.

Spectators chanted loudly ‘’we love you Andy”, then they screamed “I love you” as the rollercoaster match veered from hope to despair to miraculous.

Two-time Wimbledon champion Murray, now 34, took the first set, dropped the second and third sets, only to roar with a stirring comeback in the fourth when there was a 20-minute break as the roof was shut.

By the fifth set, the centre court crowd – everyone maskless – was screaming in delight. This was vintage Murray, who went through a gamut of emotion: the grit, the feisty comeback and then the sweet triumph. It was hard to believe this was the first time Murray has won back to back matches in a grand slam in the past four years.

It just had to be...

A trademark @andy_murray lob seals his passage into the third round at #Wimbledonpic.twitter.com/CKwUaS5nMi

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) June 30, 2021

Murray went across to some Scottish fans, dressed in rugby jerseys, and gifted them his towel and shirt.

When asked what he enjoyed about the match, Murray replied: “I enjoyed the end.”

The middle part was not so much fun, he noted, but he paid tribute to the electric atmosphere for getting him home.

“What an atmosphere to play at the end,” he told the crowd, adding: “A few guys in there who were, well, they got me fired up. I needed everyone’s help tonight, you did a great job, I hit some great shots but it was a tough match.”

The four-hour match even finished before the 11pm curfew. Summer fun has returned.