Two-time All England Club champion Andy Murray may have to miss the Olympics after back surgery, ATP Tour officials confirmed Sunday. Wimbledon 2024 was supposed to be special for Murray, who was expected to make the tournament his last.
Murray underwent minor back surgery in 2013 and after losing in the first round at the recent French Open, said he would need treatment to address the soreness.
“Following surgery to remove a spinal cyst, Andy Murray is unfortunately withdrawing from Wimbledon. Rest and recover Andy, we will miss seeing you,” the ATP said in a statement.
A three-time Grand Slam winner, Murray won Wimbledon in 2013 and 2016, as well as a triumph at the US Open in 2012.
Murray (37) was due to end his career this season, meaning he may well miss the opportunity to say goodbye to Wimbledon on the tennis court.
Murray will need at least six weeks to recover from surgery, with Wimbledon starting on July 1, and he faces a race against time to make it in time for the Paris Olympics, which begin in just over a month.
Murray has long said he has no intention of continuing to play until the summer, hinting that Wimbledon or the Olympics would be the end of his career.
This news was very shocking and hit the fans hard.
Here’s what fans wrote on social media about Murray:
“Absolutely terrible news. What a champion”; “Sad news”; “Very sad that Andy Murray will miss @Wimbledon. Although he’s Scottish, he’s always been one of my sports heroes”; “After he left Queens, I was afraid we wouldn’t see him on the professional stage again.”
He was due to compete at Wimbledon in singles and doubles alongside his brother Jamie before finishing his career at the Paris Olympics.