(REUTERS) Andy Murray will have to wait until today before taking on Jo-Wilfred Tsonga in the final at Queen’s after weather wrecked any hope of play in West London.
Likewise the WTA Birmingham final at Edgbaston between Daniela Hantuchova and Sabine Lisicki was also a wash-out and will now be played today too, with the Queen’s final scheduled to take place at 12:30hrs while the Edgbaston decider is scheduled to take place at 11:00hrs.
British Eurosport 2 will broadcast live coverage of the Queen’s final from 12:15pm.
It is only the third time in Queen’s history that a final has been washed out and it will carry on to a Monday finish for the first time since 1987 when Boris Becker beat Jimmy Connors.
“It has been a very frustrating day for everyone, particularly our ticket-holders, but we will give everyone with a ticket today a full refund and an opportunity to buy tickets for the final weekend next year,” said tournament director Chris Kermode.
“We still have a fantastic final day to look forward to on Monday, and the weather forecast looks promising.”
The 24-year-old Murray, who will again shoulder British hopes of a long-awaited men’s singles champion at Wimbledon starting next week, killed time by playing table tennis against Tsonga and exchanging banter with fellow players on his Twitter feed.
In one message to world number two Novak Djokovic, en route to London via Luton airport, Murray suggested the Serb came to Queen’s for a sing-along with the American doubles duo Bob and Mike Bryan.
Djokovic replied: “Another idea: Go out on court with water polo caps and speedo’s…I will get a ball!”
Former world number one Serena Williams, given a wildcard at this week’s Eastbourne tournament after nearly a year out with injury and illness, practised indoors with her sister Venus.
However, the 13-times Grand Slam champion said the rain would give her some time to practise her singing.
“I bought a portable karaoke machine, brave singers only!” the 29-year-old American tweeted.
Fans wishing to watch the Queen’s final in person can by tickets for £10 at the gate or via the tournament’s website while tickets for the Edgbaston final will be priced at £5 and allocated on a first come first served basis, with kids age 16 and under all going free with a full paying adult.