June 23, (THEWILL) – Andy Murray’s participation in Wimbledon hangs in the balance following a surgical procedure on his back.
The two-time champion underwent an operation to address a spinal cyst on Saturday, casting uncertainty over his appearance at the All England Club. At the moment, there is no word regarding his involvement in the tournament, which begins on July 1.
Recovery timelines for such procedures vary, sometimes over a range of four to six weeks. Given Wimbledon’s imminent start, Murray faces a race against time to be fit for the singles event. The doubles competition, in which he is slated to partner with his brother, Jamie, commences a few days later and may present a more achievable target due to its less physically demanding nature.
Murray’s team maintained on Sunday evening that no final decision had been reached, indicating that an update would be provided on Monday morning. The 37-year-old Scot, who has previously defied medical expectations following two hip operations, is eager to make his final appearance at Wimbledon before his planned retirement later this year. Additionally, the Olympic Games in Paris, where Murray is a two-time gold medallist, looms on the horizon with the tennis competition set to begin on July 27.
The latest setback for Murray emerged during the Cinch Championships last Wednesday. He retired mid-match from his second-round encounter with Australian Jordan Thompson, citing a “loss of power” in his right leg and a recurrence of a back injury. Murray described experiencing diminished motor control and coordination, which had begun to manifest even before he stepped onto the court.
Although Murray has not set a specific retirement date, he indicated last week that he would likely conclude his professional career this summer. Should Wimbledon and the Olympics prove unattainable, the US Open, commencing on August 26, could serve as an alternative farewell stage. The New York tournament holds special significance for Murray as the site of his first Grand Slam victory 12 years ago.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
