Twice Wimbledon champion Andy Murray (37) pulled out of the singles competition but will play doubles alongside his brother Jamie in what will be his farewell appearance at the Grand Slam, his management team said on Tuesday.
Murray, who recently underwent surgery to remove a spinal cyst compressing his nerves, leading to loss of control and power in his right leg, decided his recovery wasn’t sufficient for singles play.
“Unfortunately, despite working incredibly hard on his recovery since his operation just over a week ago, Andy has taken the very difficult decision not to play the singles this year,” Murray’s team said.
“As you can imagine, he is extremely disappointed but has confirmed that he will be playing in the doubles with Jamie and looks forward to competing at Wimbledon for the last time.”
Murray was due to face Czech Tomas Machac on Centre Court in singles on Tuesday, having informed the All England Club that he would take as long as possible to make a decision.
“Andy – we’re sorry to hear you won’t be playing singles this year,” Wimbledon said on social media.
“But we are so looking forward to seeing you compete in the doubles and celebrating all the memories you have given us.”
Murray, who in 2013 ended a 77-year wait for a British men’s singles champion at Wimbledon and won the trophy again in 2016, had previously said he was unlikely to continue his career beyond this year and might retire at the Olympics in Paris.
The tennis competition at the Olympics begins on July 27th.
After winning his 1,000th tour-level singles match at the Queen’s Club Championships, Murray withdrew from his second-round match due to injury. The issue arose after his participation in the French Open and Stuttgart, leaving him in a race to be fit for Wimbledon, where he has won two of his three Grand Slam titles.
Murray, who had hip-resurfacing surgery in 2019, has struggled with injuries, including an ankle injury sustained at the Miami Open in March.
He was replaced in the Wimbledon draw by Belgian David Goffin.
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