Andy Murray needs back procedure, unsure on Wimbledon - source

ByTOM HAMILTON
June 21, 2024, 1:59 PM

Andy Murray will undergo a procedure on his back Saturday but no decision has been made yet on whether he will play at Wimbledon, a source has told ESPN.

Murray, 37, was forced to retire from his second-round match against Jordan Thompson at Queen's on Wednesday with this back injury. He will now undergo a back procedure as he bids to be fit in time for Wimbledon, which starts July 1.

Murray said after retiring from the match on Wednesday that he had shooting pains down the right side of his back and right leg and suffered with a loss of coordination.

"I have dealt with back issues for a long time, for the last 10 years or so, and it's probably quite common for a lot of players," Murray said Wednesday. "But I have never had that loss of coordination, loss of control, strength in the leg before."

Murray's disclosure raises fears that his condition might jeopardize his chances of playing Wimbledon. The three-time Grand Slam champion has previously said he does not plan to play on much beyond this summer. He had hoped to participate at Wimbledon alongside his brother, Jamie, in men's doubles and was also named in the Great Britain squad for the Paris Olympics.

But Murray, who has battled so many injuries in his career, will find out further details on this specific setback over the weekend.

Jamie Murray told the BBC of his brother's situation Friday: "He saw a specialist yesterday evening, and he's basically trying to decide what his next move is.

"I don't think it's right for me to go into that personally, that's up to him, but I think he has got a few decisions to make.

"It's obviously incredibly disappointing for him that this was potentially going to be his last Queen's, last Wimbledon and Olympics, and there's a potential that that might not be able to happen.

"I think he's got to make a few decisions and see where he goes from there."