Wimbledon | Murray pulls out

Andy Murray has reluctantly withdrawn from Wimbledon. The former World No.1 has decided that he needs more time to get himself match-fit for best-of-five matches, something which he has regularly voiced was one of his main concerns.

I didn’t feel good before Wimbledon last year but decided to play. I know how that ended up! Andy Murray

He certainly put his toe in the water by playing at Queen’s and Eastbourne but while he showed some positive signs, he didn’t feel he could be competitive toenough  do himself justice.

“If I can get myself fit and healthy I believe my tennis will get there and it won’t take long to get back,” Murray said.

“If I was thinking I would not play Wimbledon again, it would be a different decision to make and obviously I would be out there and just playing to enjoy it and potentially play my last Wimbledon. But I want to play for a couple of years and hopefully be back competing at the top of the game. I need to bear that in mind when I am making decisions right now.”

After limping out of Wimbledon last year at the quarter final stage, Murray had not been in action until a few weeks ago following hip surgery last January. He also made late withdrawals from the US Open and Australian Open.

And his decision to pull out of The Championships where he has reigned supreme twice, was made after lengthy consultation with his coaching entourage and doctor.

“I was just sort of feeling that I was not ready and willing to play,” Murray continued. “I didn’t know how I would respond to playing five-set matches. I went through a similar situation last year when I went to Wimbledon. I didn’t feel good before Wimbledon last year but decided to play. I know how that ended up!

“There was a bit of that in the back of my mind as well. I’ve made progress in the last month, which hadn’t really been the case for the last 10 or 11 months.”

He was happy with the three matches he played but he was aware that he felt sore after his lengthy two-and-a-half hour match with Nick Kyrgios at Queen’s.

His decision should ensure that our tennis knight will be back and as strong as ever, once he has fully recuperated, physically and mentally.