Former Champion Murray Withdraws from Wimbledon Following Back Surgery

Two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray has been ruled out of this year’s tournament following back surgery, the ATP Tour confirmed on Sunday.

“After an operation on a spinal cyst, Andy Murray is sadly out of Wimbledon. Rest up and recover, Andy, we’ll miss seeing you there,” the ATP announced on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Murray, who won Wimbledon in 2013 and 2016, had hoped to make a farewell appearance at the grass court Grand Slam. However, the 37-year-old now faces an estimated six-week recovery period, with Wimbledon starting on July 1.

In addition, Murray is racing against time to be fit for the Paris Olympics next month, where he is a two-time gold medallist in singles.

Murray withdrew from his second-round match against Australia’s Jordan Thompson at the Queen’s warm-up event in London on Wednesday after just five games due to a back injury. The former world number one, who has a metal hip, struggled from the start of the match and later reported weakness in his right leg and loss of coordination.

“I never had that loss of coordination, control, and strength in my leg before,” Murray said shortly after retiring from the match. “I’ve been struggling with my back for a while—I had lost the power in my right leg, lost all motor control, had no coordination, and couldn’t really move.”

When asked about his prospects of playing at Wimbledon, Murray added, “Like all tennis players, we have degenerative joints and issues in the back, but for me, it’s predominantly been left-sided my whole career. I have never had too many issues with the right side. So maybe there is something that can be done between now and then to help the right side.”

Murray previously underwent minor back surgery in 2013 and, following a first-round loss at the recent French Open, indicated he would need treatment for soreness.

The three-time Grand Slam champion only returned to competitive action in May after nearly two months out with an ankle injury. He had planned to play singles and doubles with his brother Jamie at Wimbledon before potentially concluding his career at the Paris Olympics.