Tony O'Brien/Action Images, via Reuters
LONDON — In many ways, Thursday’s scene here in London was reminiscent of the one that played out a year ago.
Again, Andy Murray was returning to Queen’s Club from a long layoff that included surgery.
Again, it was a match that often lacked much atmosphere despite a supportive crowd. Last year, it was because he was playing a friend and mercurial opponent in Nick Kyrgios, who felt awkward winning against a competitor he was close to.
This time, it was a first-round doubles match late in the day, and more than half the crowd had departed before the end of the first set.