Two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray underwent spinal surgery on Saturday, casting doubt on his participation in the upcoming Wimbledon championship.
The 37-year-old Scottish tennis player, who retired from a second-round match at Queen’s due to debilitating back and leg pain, is currently recuperating after his operation. His medical team is assessing when he might be able to return to competitive tennis.
Following his retirement from Queen’s, where he has previously triumphed five times, Murray’s condition raised alarms about his fitness for Wimbledon, which begins on July 1st.
There is concern in the tennis community that the surgery and the recommended six-week rest period might mean Murray will not only miss Wimbledon but also his appearance at the fifth Olympic Games in Paris later in July.
The severity of Murray’s back issues have been ongoing since his peak in world rankings in 2017. He has experienced a tumultuous battle with injuries since then, which has affected his play and ranking.
Murray’s illustrious career boasts three grand slam titles, two Olympic gold medals, and 46 career titles. He first achieved the world No. 1 spot in 2016, following a win at the end-of-season finals in London, and was instrumental in Great Britain’s Davis Cup victory after a 79-year wait, in 2015.
Source: The Independent