London, UK

Great Britain’s Andy Murray has officially pulled out of the Wimbledon men’s singles. He released a statement on Tuesday (July 2). Murray had a cyst on his back removed nine days earlier which came as a major setback for the 2013 and 2016 men’s singles champion. Having failed to recover in time, Murray will miss the men’s singles competition this year but will participate in the men’s doubles along with his brother Jamie.

Advertisment

Murray out of men's singles

A statement from his management company read: "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."

"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."

Advertisment

ALSO READ | 'Wanted to have a piece of it with me': Rohit on why he had a bite of Barbados pitch after India's T20 WC win

Murray’s last hurrah in singles

The two-time champion is likely to hang his racket at the end of the season, meaning it was probably his last opportunity to play in a singles championship at the prestigious Wimbledon. However, with Murray pulling out, his dream of playing in the singles came to an end. Murray has fond memories at the Wimbledon courts having become the first player since Fred Perry in 1937 to win the prestigious Grand Slam when he beat Novak Djokovic in the 2013 final.

Advertisment

The 37-year-old had earlier lost the 2012 Wimbledon final to Roger Federer before having a shot at redemption on the same court when he helped Great Britain win the Gold Medal in men’s singles at the London Olympics. Murray would add one more Wimbledon title to his trophy cabinet in 2016 when he again clinched the title.

He will end his Grand Slam singles career with three titles having also won the 2012 US Open which adds to his two Wimbledon titles. Now out of the singles draw, he will still make it to the courts of the SW-19 this year as he will partner with brother Jamie in the men’s doubles competition.