By Erik Gudris | @atntennis | Sunday, June 30, 2024
Two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray will make his final decision Monday evening on if he will compete in singles at this year’s Championships.
The 37-year-old former World No. 1 Murray spoke to the media ahead of his still scheduled opening round match against Czech Tomas Machac on Tuesday.
MORE: Jack Draper Says Missing Wimbledon Last Year Was a Blessing
Murray, who suffered an injury while competing at Queen’s Club a few weeks ago, underwent surgery eight days ago. In the surgery, a cyst near his spinal cord was removed because it caused nerve pain in his right leg.
Murray says the operated area is not sore, but he still does not have 100% feeling in his leg.
“I would love to play here one more time”
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— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) June 30, 2024
“Yeah, I mean, it’s been obviously a tough ten days or so since Queen’s. Obviously had, yeah, the operation on the back, which it wasn’t significant,” Murray told the media at Wimbledon. “Yeah, just been trying to do everything that I can to try and get ready to start the tournament here. I don’t know if that’s going to be enough.
“I’ve been practicing for the last few days. I played a set today. It went pretty well, but I still don’t have 100% sort of feeling and sensation in my leg yet.
“It’s getting better every single day. Like I said a few days ago, I want to give it every single chance that I can to get there.”
Murray, along with his team and doctors, must decide if he can compete while at the same time not risking further damage to his back.
“The cyst got removed. I still have stitches in my back now. Yeah, the actual area where I had the operation is not sore. It’s the leg and the function of my leg that will determine whether or not I’m able to play, yeah.”
Murray, just after the surgery, told reporters according to ESPN.com, that he felt he earned the right to make a last-minute decision on whether or not to play, given his success at the All-England Club.
“I feel that I deserve the opportunity to give it until the very last moment to make that decision. The rate that I’m improving just now, if that was to continue, then an extra 72 to 96 hours makes a huge difference. It’s complicated, and it’s made more complicated because I want to play at Wimbledon one more time. I’m going to wait until the last minute to see if I’m going to be able to and I’ve earned that right to do that.”
Back on familiar ground 😊#Wimbledon | @andy_murray pic.twitter.com/XFkfeZabQa
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) June 29, 2024
If Murray cannot compete in singles, it’s still very likely he will compete in the men’s doubles with his brother Jamie Murray as both men were given wildcards into the event.
Murray, who still hopes to compete at the upcoming Summer Games in Paris, says he is seeking closure at Centre Court at what will likely be his final Wimbledon of his career.
The three-time major champion, and two-time Olympic Gold medalist from London 2012 and Rio 2016, was asked what feelings or emotions he hopes to have if he can play on the famed court.
“Yeah, I mean, I don’t think there’s one thing that, I don’t know, I’m hoping for. Yeah, like I said, when it comes to the end, I don’t know, maybe a bit of closure. Yeah, I just want the opportunity to play one more time out there hopefully on Centre Court, and I don’t know, feel that buzz. Like last year, I wasn’t planning on it being my last year on the tour. I wanted to come back and play again, whereas this year I have no plans to do that.
“Yeah, it’s coming to the end of my career and I want to have that opportunity to play here again.”
Photo Credit: Rob Newell/Camera Sport
