Andy Murray finally decides not to play
Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
Andy Murray will NOT say his final farewell to Wimbledon in the singles this year.
The two-time champion, who is expected to retire this summer, has pulled out of his scheduled first-round match with Czech Tomas Machac which had been scheduled for Centre Court a few hours later on Centre Court.
The former world No.1 underwent an operation to remove a cyst on his spinal cord recently.
And left it as late as possible to play so he could ‘feel the buzz” of singles combat at The Championships one last time.
But the Brit, 37, accepted he would not be able to compete at the level he needed to compete at against Machac. There were also health considerations as he had revealed there was a “small risk” to it due to the “wound” from the op.
It was against world No. 38 Machac that Murray ruptured ankle ligaments in Miami in March. It put him out for two months.
And his back problem forced him to visit a surgeon. It caused him to retire against Jordan Thompson from Australia in the second round at Queen’s just over a week ago.
Murray, though, is expected to play doubles with Jamie as he waves goodbye to the tournament which made his name.
Three-time Slam winner Murray, has played with a metal hip after being struck down by a problem with the joint while top of the rankings in 2017.
He has been scheduled to play the Paris Olympics and Wimbledon to bring down the curtain on his glittering career. He is the only player to retain a Games crown in the men’s singles.
