Andy Murray Is Still Not Sure Whether He Will Be Able To Compete At Wimbledon

WIMBLEDON, England — Andy Murray, a two-time Wimbledon champion, said Sunday that it is “impossible” to predict whether he would be ready to compete at the grass-court Grand Slam tournament despite feeling “better every day” as he recovers from surgery to remove a cyst from his spine.

Murray, 37, is slated to play the first round of singles at the All England Club on Tuesday. He and his older brother, Jamie, were also awarded wild-card invitations for doubles, which begin later this week.

Andy Murray | AP news Image

Andy Murray Is Still Not Sure Whether He Will Be Able To Compete At Wimbledon

The Scot underwent back surgery on June 22 after being forced to stop during a match at Queen’s Club a few days prior. He stated that the cyst was compressing a nerve, rendering his right leg numb and difficult to use and that he expected to miss Wimbledon “highly likely” before the surgery.

“It’s been a tough 10 days,” he stated.

Murray played a practice set on Sunday.

“It went pretty well, but I still don’t have 100% feeling and sensation in my leg,” stated the surgeon.

Murray intends to take medical checks on Monday, the first day of Wimbledon, and play another practice set before deciding in the evening.

Andy Murray | AP News Image

Andy Murray Is Still Not Sure Whether He Will Be Able To Compete At Wimbledon

Murray has won three major championships: the U.S. Open in 2012 and Wimbledon in 2013 and 2016. In 2013, he became the first British guy to win the All England Club’s singles trophy in 77 years.

He is also the first player to win two Olympic singles gold medals. He triumphed in London in 2012 when the All England Club hosted the sport’s Summer Games and Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

Murray underwent two hip procedures in 2018 and 2019. Murray returned to action after the second surgery, in which he received a metal hip implant, despite believing he would have to retire.

Subsequently, he has been sidelined by various medical difficulties, including injuring ligaments in his left ankle at the Miami Open in March.

Murray lost in the first round of the French Open in May.

Andy Murray | AP News Image

Andy Murray Is Still Not Sure Whether He Will Be Able To Compete At Wimbledon

He is not the only 37-year-old with multiple Wimbledon titles on his resume who is recovering from recent surgery: Novak Djokovic, who won seven of his 24 Grand Slam titles at the All England Club, had surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee less than a month ago after being injured at the French Open.

Djokovic stated Saturday that he feels good enough to compete at Wimbledon and possibly win another trophy.

SOURCE – (AP)