Jamie Murray answers fan questions on Wimbledon quirks

Former Wimbledon mixed doubles champion Jamie Murray has answered a series of fan questions about the quirks of playing at the All England Club, offering insights into racquet sizes, ball behaviour, and why pros rarely wear sunglasses.

Murray, who won the mixed doubles title at Wimbledon in 2007 with Jelena Jankovic and again in 2017 with Martina Hingis, addressed queries submitted by readers in a Q&A session organised by BBC Sport.

Key questions answered

Among the topics covered, Murray revealed that while standard tennis racquets are 27 inches long, players may use longer frames up to a maximum of 29 inches — though he knows no one who uses one that long.

• Hot weather makes tennis balls travel faster and bounce more lively, Murray confirmed.
• Players select the newest, smoothest balls before serving because they fly quicker through the air.
• Most pros take their old tournament bags home and either give them away or store them, rather than reusing them.
• Murray wore sunglasses for 13 years of his career and believes modern lens quality is good enough that more players should use them.
• Sunscreen is applied in the locker room, not on court, to avoid sweat and slippery hands.

Murray also noted that tennis shoes are generally not custom-made; brands produce standard models and hope players like them. He added that he is unsure why more professionals do not wear sunglasses, given the glare on sunny days in tournaments like the Australian Open and US Open.

The Q&A gave fans a rare glimpse into the small but notable details that can affect performance at the highest level of tennis, from equipment choices to court conditions.