Andy Murray has branded a promotional Wimbledon poster a “disaster” due to the lack of prominence given to women players.
The official All England Club artwork highlighting on-court rivalries features 15 tennis stars walking down a staircase, with Italian Jannik Sinner and Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz – neither of whom has won Wimbledon – standing in the foreground.
They are followed by Murray’s long-time competitors Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
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Six women are depicted in total, with only Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova among the 11 most prominent players.
Serena Williams – who has won 23 Grand Slam tournaments – is seen at the back of the group with her sister, Venus.
Murray is notably absent from the poster, with his uncle and brother having criticised the exclusion.
But the two-time Wimbledon champion hit out at the positioning of the female players.
“It was a disaster, wasn’t it? I don’t need to elaborate any more on it, it’s pretty obvious if you see the poster,” he said.
Asked about four of the front five groups of rivals being men, he continued: “That was what was slightly strange.
“I guess the players that are on the poster are ones that have had incredible careers and have been unbelievably successful at Wimbledon.
“But elsewhere are some of the greatest players of all time.
“For me, Alcaraz and Sinner are unbelievable players, but it just seems strange that they were all sort of behind them.
“I personally don’t really care that much about it. But I can see when you look at it it’s like, ‘that does look a bit strange’.
“Me not being on it is certainly not a problem.”
The Wimbledon main draw begins on 3 July.
The 36-year-old Scot, who is ranked 39th, goes into his home slam unseeded and awaits his fate in Friday’s draw.
