Two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray’s last-minute decision over whether to compete in the singles competition at the 2024 championships has concluded with the 37-year-old withdrawing, calling his choice “very difficult”.
Murray, who had surgery on a back issue 10 days ago, will play in the doubles competition with older brother Jamie.
The 2013 and 2016 winner was drawn against Czech Tomas Machac in the first round on Centre Court on Tuesday.
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“As you can imagine, he is extremely disappointed but has confirmed that he will be playing in the doubles with Jamie and looks forward to competing at Wimbledon for the last time,” a statement from Murray’s team said.
“Unfortunately, despite working incredibly hard on his recovery since his operation just over a week ago, Andy has taken the very difficult decision not to play the singles this year.”
Two-time Olympic gold medalist Murray had a cyst near his spinal cord removed on Saturday because it was causing nerve pain in his right leg.
The former world number one trained for more than an hour with ex-British number one Kyle Edmund on Monday.
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Andy Murray: Centre Court a ‘buzz’
“I’ll have a chat with my team, speak to my family this evening and make a decision,” he had said after practice.
“It’s getting better and the testing I’ve done has been good. I just need to decide whether it’s enough to compete.”
Murray had accepted there was “more chance” he would only play in the doubles competition.
“I don’t think there’s one thing that I’m hoping for,” he told BBC Sport. “When it comes to the end, I don’t know, maybe a bit of closure.
“I just want the opportunity to play one more time out there, hopefully on Centre Court, and feel that buzz.
“Last year, I wasn’t planning on it being my last year on the tour. I wanted to come back and play again, whereas this year I have no plans to do that.”
