Andy Murray major doubt for Wimbledon after spinal surgery and may have played last tennis match with Olympics in doubt
ANDY MURRAY is a major doubt for Wimbledon next month following an operation.
Reports claimed the British tennis icon was ruled out for six weeks after undergoing surgery on a spinal cyst.
But it has now emerged that no decision has been made and he will decide after hitting some balls this week.
The social media account for the ATP Tour – the governing body of men’s tennis – dropped a massive clanger by claiming the Scotsman was “sadly out” of the SW19 event.
That message was soon deleted upon request by Murray’s camp, who were furious that details of his op had been leaked to the public.
Davis Cup captain Leon Smith told the BBC that there is still hope the Brit could compete.
He said: “He obviously went through a procedure yesterday and you have to wait and see now.
“My understanding is no decision has been made and let’s hope for the best for Andy.”
Murray’s hopes of playing at this summer’s Paris Olympics have also been thrown into doubt.
Wimbledon gets underway in less than two weeks.
The event will run from July 1 and July 14, with Murray facing being denied the chance of a farewell ahead of his planned retirement at the end of the year.
His potential withdrawal comes after he was forced to pull out of Queen’s due to a nerve issue in his right leg.
Murray could still say goodbye on-court if he misses the Olympics, which run from July 26 to August 11, at either the US Open or Laver Cup.
Roger Federer said farewell to fans at the Laver Cup in London two years ago, although this year’s event is being held in Berlin.
Despite his possible Wimbledon setback, there remains a chance former champ Murray can appear at the Olympics in Paris.
The tennis event begins in just five weeks time, running from July 27 to August 4.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
Wimbledon 2024 prize money
PRIZE MONEY for the 2024 Wimbledon Championships is a new record – and puts the grass-court Slam at the top of the tree.
The All England Club will dish out £50million across all the events – an increase of £5.3m and 11.9 per cent on last year, where singles champions Carlos Alcaraz and Marketa Vondrousova picked up £2.35m each.
However, the king and queen of grass this July will collect an extra £350,000 – taking the winner’s earnings to £2.7m.
Here is the breakdown for the 2024 Wimbledon singles prize money:
- Winner: £2.7m
- Runner-up: £1.4m
- Semi-finalists: £715,000
- Quarter-finalists: £375,000
- Fourth round: £226,000
- Third round: £143,000
- Second round: £93,000
- First round: £60,000
- Overall total: £50m
Murray has been awarded a place in the men’s singles draw as a legacy gold medallist and Grand Slam champion.
Of his three Grand Slam titles, two were at Wimbledon in 2013 and 2016 following the US Open in 2012.
Meanwhile, Murray won gold in the men’s singles at both the 2012 and 2016 Olympics in London and Rio de Janeiro.
He also won silver alongside Laura Robson in the mixed doubles 12 years ago.