Former men’s world No 1 Andy Murray had surgery to remove a cyst on his spine last Saturday but insisted he would take risks to play in Wimbledon
Andy Murray said he will make a decision on whether to play singles at Wimbledon on Monday evening, but the two-time Wimbledon champ is determined to “feel the buzz” of Centre Court one last time.
The 37-year-old is scheduled to face Tomas Machac in the first round on Tuesday, despite undergoing surgery to remove a cyst on his spine last Saturday.
Murray has endured a difficult spell since limping out of Queen’s Club on June 19. The British tennis star, who still has stitches in his back, said his condition is “getting better every day”, though he Murray confirmed there is a risk the wound in his back reopens by returning to competitive action so soon after surgery. He added that he still does not have “100 per cent feeling” in his right leg following the operation.
Even so, the tennis star said he’s “okay with a few stitches coming loose or whatever” and is determined to “feel the buzz” on Centre Court for one last time at Wimbledon before hanging up his racquet.
A final decision is set to be made on Monday after a final practice session, though Murray could postpone the decision to Tuesday if it means potentially competing.
On this summer’s tournament being his final Wimbledon, Murray said: “The opportunity to play here again for the last time, that’s kind of it. This is a place that’s obviously been really good to me over the years.
“I guess the last few years you’ve had Serena finished playing, Roger finished playing, and Rafa obviously has spoken a lot recently about the struggles he’s gone through. Everyone has their idea of how they want to finish their career, how they would want it to go.
“My idea would have seen that happening probably at Wimbledon. Obviously I have the Olympics coming up. But I would love the opportunity to play here one more time. That’s what I’m looking to get out of it.
“I’m hoping for, when it comes to the end, maybe a bit of closure. I just want the opportunity to play one more time out there hopefully on Centre Court and feel that buzz. Whether afterwards I feel it was the right thing to do or not, I don’t know. But right now I feel like I want that opportunity.”
If competing in the men’s singles proves to be too strenuous on his body, Murray has received a wildcard to play doubles with his brother Jamie, which is less demanding physically.
The doubles competition starts later in the week and would allow Murray to bid farewell to Wimbledon if he is not fit enough for singles.
Asked if playing doubles with his brother on Centre Court would be a special way to go out, Murray quipped: “Who says we are going to go out?”
The All England Club is ready to pay tribute to his career when he does announce his retirement and John McEnroe has called for a statue. The Australian Open played a video montage tribute in 2019 just five years too early.
“I don’t know what the right thing is,” Murray said. “I know obviously what happened in Australia a few years ago was a bit awkward. Yeah, it’s different this time.”
