Five-time Queen’s champion Andy Murray was compelled to withdraw from the tournament due to a back injury after falling behind 4-1 in the opening set of his second-round match against Australian player Jordan Thompson on Wednesday.
The former world number one, who has three Grand Slam titles under his belt, marked his 1,000th tour-level singles match with a victory over Australia’s Alexei Popyrin. Murray triumphed with a scoreline of 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 in the first round.
During discussions with reporters, Murray revealed that he had neglected to treat the right side of his back following the French Open. While all tennis players experience degenerative joint issues in their backs, Murray explained that his were predominantly on the left side throughout his career.
Despite this setback, the 37-year-old Murray, who once contemplated retirement in 2019 due to a hip injury, remains hopeful of competing at Wimbledon with adequate rest and treatment. Although he has clinched the Wimbledon title twice before, Murray has not progressed beyond the third round of the grasscourt tournament in the past three years.
Expressing optimism, Murray stated, “Perhaps there are options to explore for my right side between now and then. I will undergo a scan tomorrow and consult with medical professionals to determine the next course of action.”
Murray admitted feeling discomfort during Tuesday’s match and noted, “It felt somewhat similar to yesterday, but slightly worse.”
Murray expressed experiencing discomfort during Tuesday’s match, stating that it was similar to the previous day but slightly worse. He admitted that if he had felt that way before the match, he wouldn’t have played. Reflecting on his pre-match warm-up, he regretted stepping onto the court. Murray has previously mentioned that it would be a fitting end to his career to retire at this year’s Wimbledon or the Paris Olympics. As a two-time Olympic gold medallist, he revealed in February that it is unlikely he will continue playing next season.
The Wimbledon tournament will take place from July 1-14.
