Andy Murray confirms Wimbledon singles drop-out but will play doubles with brother Jamie

ITV News Correspondent Geraint Vincent looks back on Andy Murray's career after the two-time Wimbledon Champion withdrew from the tournament on Tuesday

Andy Murray seems “happy” and “relieved” to have clarity over his next steps after confirming he will not be competing in the men's singles at Wimbledon this year, his brother said.

Murray’s participation has been in doubt since he pulled out during his last-16 match at Queen’s Club and underwent surgery to remove a spinal cyst.

The Scottish tennis ace will still be playing doubles with his brother Jamie, his team announced on Tuesday.

Speaking at the SW19 competition, Jamie Murray said he seemed "good" when they practised together.

"I think he was good, we practised together and he seemed happy – and probably just relieved he’s got clarity of what he’s doing now," he said.

He added that he was sure his brother was “disappointed” not being able to play singles.

Jamie said: "He’s still going to get an amazing reception, whether it’s playing singles, doubles, triples, whatever – so I’m sure Thursday will be a fun day and we’re both looking forward to it.

"Hopefully, we have a good time on court and a good experience and one we can look back on with fondness."

This is to be Murray's final Wimbledon tournament after being the headline act in Wimbledon since 2005.

Murray refused to rule out a final Wimbledon appearance and practised at the All England Club over the last few days but it was clear his movement was short of 100%.

Speaking after practice on Monday, Murray had said he would talk to his team and his family before making a final decision.

A statement from Murray’s representatives 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.”

The 37-year-old had been scheduled to face Tomas Machac from the Czech Republic this evening on Centre Court, but this will not go ahead.

He has been replaced in the draw by lucky loser David Goffin but Murray will at least get a Wimbledon send-off on the court in doubles, where he will play with Jamie.

Speaking to ITV News, Virginia Wade, the most recent British player to win a major singles tournament until Murray won the 2012 US Open, said it was a "huge decision" but that he wouldn't want to play as a "shadow of himself".

She added: "He has tried so hard to get himself in tip-top condition and the injuries kept coming.

"He knows he would like to go on and play as Andy Murray 'the champion', but if he was to go out limping and hurting, that wasn't going to work."

Three times major Championship winner Virginia Wade told ITV News that Murray would want to go out as a 'champion' rather than 'limping'

The men’s doubles competition is scheduled to start on Wednesday, but it is likely the Murrays will not play their opening match until Thursday or Friday.

Andy Murray made his debut at Wimbledon back in 2005, reaching the third round as an 18-year-old, and has played 74 singles matches, winning 61 of them.

Wade went on to say that Murray's career isn't over despite him pulling back from singles competition and that he will go on to coach or advise future generations.

"He isn't going to stop hitting tennis balls," she said. "With his name, the world is still his oyster and I know he will continue to inspire young British players.

"He has been the absolute pinnacle of British tennis for the past 12, 13 years."

His first title came in 2013 with a hugely emotional victory over Novak Djokovic, while he lifted the trophy again in 2016.

In 2012, he sobbed on Centre Court after losing to Roger Federer in the final but beat the Swiss on the same stage a few weeks later to claim Olympic gold with one of the finest performances of his career.

What has turned out to be his final singles match at the All England Club was an agonising two-day, five-set loss to Stefanos Tsitsipas in the second round last year.

This is not quite the end of Murray’s singles career, with the 37-year-old set to make a final appearance at the Olympics in Paris later this month.

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