(London) Andy Murray remains hopeful of playing one final time at Wimbledon next week, but admits he is unlikely to play in the London singles tournament after having surgery on a spinal cyst.
“I would say it’s more than likely that I won’t be able to play singles” at Wimbledon, he admitted.
The 37-year-old (world 115), who confirmed the Paris Olympics tennis event would be the final event of his career, underwent surgery on Saturday after feeling weakness in his right leg while played in the Queen’s tournament last week.
“Last week was quite difficult,” said the former British world number one. “Obviously a lot has happened as I plan to finish (my career) at the Olympics.”
Murray, who won two of his three Grand Slam titles at Wimbledon, said several surgeons recommended he seek treatment immediately.
“Although the operation was not major, the problem was serious, because if the cyst had continued to grow – already at Queen’s I practically lost strength, coordination and everything in my leg right when going onto the court – it’s likely there would have been other complications,” he said.
The Scot, a two-time Olympic champion, stressed that the procedure had gone “very, very well” and that he was hitting balls again. But he added it was “impossible to say” when he would be able to return to competition.
“It’s complicated, and it’s even more complicated because I want to play Wimbledon one last time,” he said.
The singles begin on Monday and Murray, also entered in the doubles with his brother Jamie, will wait until the last moment to make his decision.
If the player does not participate in the Olympics, where he is entered in singles and doubles alongside Dan Evans, he could still play another tournament, such as the US Open, in order to bow out on his own terms.
