Murray’s hip hell!
He’s still limping just days before opening match at Wimbledon
Britain’s Wimbledon hopes could be dashed before the tournament even begins – as the nation’s top players both face worrying injury battles.
reigning champion and top seed andy Murray was spotted limping and grimacing at practice yesterday as he nurses a sore hip.
and Johanna Konta – tipped to be Britain’s best hope in the tournament for more than 30 years – has hurt her back in a nasty fall which left her sobbing.
Murray, 30, who is struggling with a niggling hip injury, appeared to wince in pain during a session at the Wimbledon practice courts yesterday.
the British ace had to grit his teeth and contort his body to hit the ball. the world number one was also seen struggling to pick something up and clutching his knee. at one moment he closed his eyes and appeared to throw his head back in frustration.
Even as he went to put on his shirt, a grimace spread across the scot’s face. afterwards, Murray appeared exhausted, closing his eyes and wiping his brow on court. Meanwhile, world number seven Miss Konta, 26, suffered the spinal injury as she beat world number one angelique Kerber at the aegon international in Eastbourne on thursday. the
British number one – who won the Miami Open in April – pulled out of the semi-final yesterday and said she would have to ‘wait and see’ if she was fit enough for Wimbledon. Ranked world number seven, she is the first British woman to rank in the top ten ahead of the tournament since 1984.
But she said yesterday: ‘I had a bit of a nasty fall. I made the decision based on the fact that I am still quite sore through my thoracic spine and I’m looking to make sure I recover in the best way possible. Obviously next week is Wimbledon but I made this decision according to my health.’
Konta has also been handed a tough draw against Taiwan’s Su-Wei Hsieh, who is ranked 112th but knocked her out of the French Open in May. Murray said he still plans to open the tournament with his firstround match on Monday.
He pulled out of two exhibition matches at the Hurlingham Club this week and looked uncomfortable during an hour-and-a-half practice at the All England Club yesterday. Yet asked if he would play, he said: ‘I hope so, that’s the plan.’
Murray faces tattooed Wimbledon newcomer Alexander Bublik, 20, ranked 134th, on Centre Court at 1pm. Murray’s draw means he could have to beat Rafael Nadal in the semis and seven-time champ Roger Federer in the final – setting up a possible replay of his tear-jerking 2012 loss.