Two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray has been ruled out of this year’s tournament after undergoing back surgery, the ATP Tour confirmed on Sunday. “After an operation on a spinal cyst, Andy Murray is unfortunately out of Wimbledon. Rest and recover Andy, we will miss seeing you there”, said the ATP on X, formerly Twitter. The Scot had intended to make a farewell appearance at the grass-court Grand Slam, which he won in 2013 and 2016. However, the 37-year-old will need six weeks to recover from surgery at Wimbledon from July 1.
He now also faces a race against time to be fit for the Paris Olympics next month, with Murray a two-time individual gold medalist.
Murray played just five games before a back injury forced him to withdraw from his second-round match against Australian Jordan Thompson in Queen’s friendly in London on Wednesday.
The former world number one, who plays with a metal hip, struggled from the start of the match against Thompson and later said he felt a feeling of weakness in his right leg and lost coordination.
“I’ve never had that loss of coordination, control and strength in my leg before,” Murray said shortly after retiring from the match against Thompson.
“I’ve been struggling with my back for a while now – I lost strength in my right leg, so I lost all motor control, had no coordination and couldn’t move.”
Asked about his prospects of playing at Wimbledon, he added: “Like all tennis players we have degenerative joints and other things in our backs, but everything has been predominantly left for me my whole career.
“I’ve never had much trouble with my right side. So maybe there’s something that can be done between now and then to help the right side.”
Murray had minor back surgery in 2013 and, following a first-round defeat at the recent French Open, he said he would need treatment to treat the pain.
The three-time Grand Slam champion only returned to competition in May, after almost two months away due to an ankle injury.
He was due to play singles and doubles with his brother Jamie at Wimbledon before potentially ending his career at the Paris Olympics.
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