- Sir Andy Murray could be set to miss out on the Wimbledon Championships
- The 37-year-old former champion recently underwent surgery on a spinal cyst
- Murray may also be unable to play for Team GB at this summer’s Paris Olympics
Andy Murray’s dream of a Wimbledon swansong is hanging by a thread but the Scot is refusing to rule out an appearance at the All England Club next week.
The 37-year-old had surgery to remove a cyst from his spine on Saturday and there were reports on Sunday morning that the operation had ruled him out of Wimbledon.
But Murray remains in the draw and he and his team are holding out hope of a miracle recovery in time for Wimbledon, which begins a week on Monday. The time frame is extremely narrow and it remains a long shot but Murray is clinging to a sliver of hope.
The two-time Wimbledon champion withdrew from his second-round match at the Queen’s Club on Wednesday after nerve pain in his back spread to his right leg.
Subsequent tests revealed a cyst had developed which had to be surgically removed. The recovery time for the procedure is around four weeks for a ‘normal’ adult but his team are hopeful that someone of Murray’s build and fitness could respond quickly.
Former world No 1 Andy Murray could miss out on playing at Wimbledon this summer
Murray retired against Jordan Thompson at Queen’s after just five games on Wednesday
Murray and his camp are taking it day by day and are not expected to make any drastic decisions. While the odds are stacked against him, it is possible he could be back on the practice courts by the end of this week.
The ATP Tour, picking up on reports, posted on X yesterday saying ‘Andy Murray is sadly out of Wimbledon’ – appearing to rubber-stamp the news. Murray’s team were furious with the post and demanded the ATP take it down.
Leon Smith, Great Britain Davis Cup captain and a close ally of Murray, said on the BBC when asked if Murray was out of Wimbledon: ‘That’s not my understanding. This has come from one source and that has had a knock-on effect. He went through a procedure and we have to wait and see now. My understanding is no decision’s been made and let’s hope for the best for.’
Murray may decide a comeback in the singles is impossible but could give it a go in the less-taxing doubles competition, which he is hoping to play with brother Jamie.
Murray won Wimbledon in 2013 and 2016 but has not gone beyond the third round since 2017
It is understood Wimbledon chiefs have left a spare wildcard spot in the doubles draw for the Murray brothers if they want it.
If Murray does decide to skip Wimbledon, plan B for the two-time Olympic singles gold medallist would likely be to finish at the Paris Games, which begin on July 27. ‘Probably if I was going to finish my career I would rather finish at Wimbledon or an Olympic Games,’ he said last week.