Andy Murray issues emotional apology after Wimbledon withdrawal with new plan in place

Andy Murray withdrew from the singles draw on Tuesday morning

Andy Murray withdrew from the singles draw on Tuesday morning

REUTERS
Stuart Ballard

By Stuart Ballard


Published: 02/07/2024

- 16:09

Andy Murray is no longer in the singles draw at Wimbledon after he withdrew just hours before his scheduled match against Tomas Machac.

Andy Murray has issued an apology to Wimbledon fans after he withdrew from the singles draw just hours before his scheduled match against Tomas Machac.

The two-time Wimbledon champion suffered another injury setback last month and underwent spinal cyst removal surgery just a few days ago.


It put his participation at Wimbledon in jeopardy, but the 37-year-old was included in both the men's singles and doubles draws for what will almost certainly be his last tournament at his home slam.

There was more time for Murray to get up to full speed for the doubles with his brother, which doesn't get underway until Thursday.

Andy Murray withdrew from the singles draw on Tuesday morning

Andy Murray withdrew from the singles draw on Tuesday morning

REUTERS

But the clock was against him for the start of the men's singles draw, even though he was given until the last match on Centre Court on Tuesday to make a decision.

Monday's practice session with Kyle Edmund gave him some optimism about potentially playing, but ultimately he felt it was going to be one step too far.

And the three-time major champion has apologised to fans with thousands queuing up overnight to hopefully catch him in action at Wimbledon.

“I’m disappointed. I wanted to play in the tournament and I wanted to have a chance to go out there, walk out on my own on the Centre Court again and give it another go," he said.

"I also was only going to give it a go if I felt like I could be competitive and I didn’t feel like that today.

“I’m sorry for everyone who came and wanted to support and watch again.

"I wanted that moment as well, as much for me as for the people that have supported me over the years.

"The fans but also my closest friends, family, my team.

"It was important for me to do that with them as well. It was one of those things. Unfortunate.

Andy Murray will still play doubles with brother Jamie

Andy Murray will still play doubles with brother Jamie

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"The timing was horrible, the surgery was a complex one and it wasn’t to be."

It's not all doom and gloom for Murray as he now turns his focus to the doubles draw with his older brother Jamie.

And he's also proud of how far he's come in his recovery in such a short space of time.

"I told my team and my family that I didn't think I'd play based on how I felt yesterday," he added.

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Andy Murray didn't feel comfortable enough to play in singles

Andy Murray didn't feel comfortable enough to play in singles

REUTERS

"I practiced pretty well and was playing pretty good but I was just not happy about how my leg was feeling.

"I wanted to sleep on it and make sure I was happy with the decision and also give myself the chance when I woke up this morning to see if it felt much better.

"I ran around a bit at home this morning when I got up - it wasn't where I wanted it to be unfortunately.

"It's probably a few days too soon but I'm proud I worked extremely hard to give myself a chance to play. It's the right decision."

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