Wimbledon 2023: Andy Murray Supported by Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe at All England Club
Andy Murray Delighted by Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s Presence at Wimbledon
The presence of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who witnessed Andy Murray’s historic 2016 Wimbledon victory while imprisoned in Iran, was described as “brilliant” by the British tennis star. After spending six years behind bars on spying charges she vehemently denied, Zaghari-Ratcliffe was released last year.
Murray expressed his desire to invite her to attend the prestigious tournament under completely different circumstances and was thrilled that she accepted the invitation. The former world number one played a key role in arranging for Zaghari-Ratcliffe to be present at the All England Club on Tuesday.
Seated in the Royal Box alongside notable figures such as Roger Federer and Princess Diana, Zaghari-Ratcliffe watched Murray triumph over fellow Briton Ryan Peniston in their first-round match.
This encounter took place nine months after her release, which followed an intensive campaign advocating for her freedom. During this time, she had the opportunity to meet with Murray and express how elated she felt witnessing his second Wimbledon title win during her imprisonment.
In 2016, when locked up in solitary confinement far away from loved ones including her husband and young daughter, Iranian authorities granted Zaghari-Ratcliffe access to a television displaying only two channels—one broadcasting Iranian soap operas and another showing Wimbledon tennis matches. She shared this remarkable story while guest editing a Radio 4 Today programme last year.
Zaghari-Ratcliffe considered this connection with sports as an escape from her dire circumstances—it provided solace and made her feel closer to home despite being physically distant from it all those years ago.
Over six years later since that memorable match aired on television screens inside an Iranian prison, she finally had the opportunity to witness Murray’s skills firsthand and convey the personal significance it held for her.
Murray expressed his gratitude for Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s presence at Wimbledon, stating that he found their conversation after the match incredibly emotional. He acknowledged her remarkable journey and was glad she could be there to experience Wimbledon in person for the first time.