Andy: My Wimbledon heartbreak
As Scots ace forced to quit...
Andy Murray dramatically pulled out of Wimbledon on the eve of the tournament with a ‘heavy heart’ after being plagued by a long-term hip injury.
The two-time champ announced his decision on Facebook saying that he and his team did ‘everything we could’ to try to be ready in time but it was ‘too soon’ to play five sets.
His participation in the Grand Slam has been under threat as he struggled to get back to form since hip surgery in January.
Just hours before his announcement he revealed in an interview that he had no ‘belief’ that he had a chance of winning this year.
Revealing his shock decision on social media, the Scots dad-of-two wrote: ‘Hey everyone... It is with a heavy heart that I’m announcing that I’ll be withdrawing from Wimbledon this year. I’ve made significant progress in practice and matches over the last ten days, but after lengthy discussions with my team, we’ve decided that playing best of five set matches might be a bit too soon in the recovery process.
‘We did everything we could to try to be ready in time.’
The former world number one has fallen to number 156 in the world rankings as a result of his injury and been replaced as British number one by Kyle Edmund. Earlier last week he insisted he would only enter Wimbledon if he felt he could be competitive but suggested that he was fit to play.
Murray missed the tournament at SW19 once before in 2007 with a wrist injury but has played every year since, and has reached at least the quarter-final each time. His withdrawal will lead to questions over whether or not fans will see the 31-year-old, compete again at Wimbledon.
His hip problem first surfaced at the tournament last summer, and he has since withdrawn from three consecutive grand slams – this being his fourth. Stepping out of the competition will mean Murray’s ranking will plummet to outside the top 800. However, the former world number one added: ‘I will start practising on the hard courts from tomorrow and continuing with my rehab and recovery and I’m looking forward to the US hardcourt season. Thanks for all the messages of support and I’m excited to finally be back playing after so long out.’ His post was followed by emojis including a strawberry, the Union Jack and a crying face – followed by a weight-lifting icon and a tennis racquet before pointing to future success in the States with a US flag and a smiling face.
The official Wimbledon Twitter account instantly responded: ‘Really sorry to hear the news, @ andy_murray. From everyone at the All England Club, we wish you all the best with your journey back from injury.’