Andy Murray invites Iranian prisoner accused of espionage to Wimbledon

Three-time Grand Slam winner Andy Murray invited Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe to the Royal Box at Wimbledon.

Zaghari-Ratcliffe is a British-Iranian citizen who spent six years in an Iranian prison on espionage charges, and she told the Scot that watching his matches gave her strength to hope for a release.

Released last year, Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who claimed her innocence throughout, told Murray in December of last year that in 2016, in the Iranian prison where she was held in solitary confinement, she was given access to a television, allowing her to watch the Scot’s second win at the All England Club.

“It’s the strangest and most unbelievable story I’ve ever been told of anyone watching me,” Murray said after Zaghari-Ratcliffe witnessed his triumph against Ryan Peniston on Tuesday in an exceptional spot, behind Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, and Roger Federer, eight-time champion of the tournament.

“I wanted to invite her and let her see tennis in completely different circumstances. I’m really glad she was able to do that,” the Scottish tennis player added.

Zaghari-Ratcliffe described the experience of seeing Murray during her confinement as “an escape” and a way to feel “at home.”

“It’s been very emotional talking to her and hearing her story,” Murray concluded.