Andy Murray will undergo back surgery on Saturday in a bid to be fit for what would almost certainly be his last ever appearance at Wimbledon, which begins on the first of July.
The 37-year-old retired from his second round match at Queen’s on Wednesday after only five games against Jordan Thompson. He later explained that nerve pain he had been experiencing in his back spread to his right leg just before he came on court, effectively immobilising him.
‘I had loss of power in my right leg. So loss of motor control, had no coordination. Yeah, couldn’t move,’ he said.
On his treatment options, he added at the time: ‘I didn’t necessarily get my right side of my back treated after the French Open, because I have, like all tennis players, we have degenerative joints and stuff in the back, but it’s all predominantly been left-sided for me for pretty much my whole career. I have never had too many issues with the right side.
‘So maybe there is something that can be done between now and then, you know, to help the right side.’
Andy Murray will have back surgery on Saturday in a bid to be ready for Wimbledon
Murray, 37, withdrew from his Queen’s match against Jordan Thompson with an injury
The two-time Wimbledon champion heroically tried to carry on after treatment but only lasted five games overall
He received a standing ovation at the end of the match and waved to the fans
Murray had a painkilling injection in the left side of his back last week so it was thought he might have something similar done to the right side. But the fact he is going under the knife suggests the problem is more serious, although the surgery is believed to be minor.
Ordinarily, a player undergoing surgery would be an extreme long shot to compete in a Grand Slam 10 days later. But if Murray decides Wimbledon will be his final event before retirement, he will likely drag himself to the starting post if he is in any sort of shape to compete.
As former British No1 John Lloyd put it on the BBC after Murray’s withdrawal against Thompson: ‘He’ll do everything he can to play at Wimbledon, even if it’s on a walking stick.’
