Andy Murray's Wimbledon Hopes Hang in the Balance After Surgery

Twice Wimbledon champion Andy Murray remains undecided about his participation in this year's tournament following back surgery. Britain's Davis Cup captain Leon Smith shared this update just after the ATP erroneously posted about Murray's withdrawal. Murray's ongoing injury woes have complicated his return to top-tier tennis.

(Re-leads with Smith quotes, adds ATP removing post on X) June 23 (Reuters) -

Twice champion Andy Murray has not yet made a decision on his Wimbledon participation, Britain's Davis Cup captain Leon Smith said just hours after the ATP announced that the 37-year-old will miss the grasscourt major after back surgery. The professional men's tour's governing ATP has since deleted its post on social media platform X.

Murray withdrew from this week's Queen's Club Championships due to the injury while trailing 4-1 in the first set of his second-round match with Jordan Thompson on Wednesday, having beaten Alexei Popyrin in his 1,000th tour-level singles contest. The ongoing issue was aggravated by Murray's participation in this year's French Open.

"He obviously went through a procedure yesterday (Saturday)and you have to wait and see now," Smith told the BBC. "My understanding is no decision has been made and let's hope for the best for Andy."

Murray, a three-times Grand Slam champion, has yet to confirm whether he will play at Wimbledon. "After an operation on a spinal cyst, Andy Murray is sadly out of Wimbledon," the ATP had said earlier on Sunday. "Rest up and recover Andy, we'll miss seeing you there."

Reuters has contacted the ATP for comment. Murray breathed new life into his career after having hip resurfacing surgery in 2019 but has struggled to make the latter stages of the top tournaments and also had to deal with an ankle injury sustained at the Miami Open in March.

The Scottish double Olympic gold medallist had previously said that he was unlikely to continue playing next season, and it would be a fitting end to his glittering career if he bowed out at the All England Club or the Paris Games. Wimbledon runs from July 1-14, while the tennis competition at the Olympics will begin on July 27.

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