Two-time champion Andy Murray called time on his Wimbledon singles career on Tuesday after the “extremely disappointed” former world number one lost his battle to recover from back surgery.
However, the 37-year-old, who plans to retire after the Paris Olympics, will still experience an emotional farewell to the All England Club when he plays doubles with brother Jamie later in the tournament.
Murray underwent surgery to remove a cyst from his back last month, a procedure he described as “not insignificant”.
The operation left him without full feeling in his right leg and placed in peril his final appearance at the tournament.
As a result Murray doubted if he would recover in time to face Tomas Machac of the Czech Republic in his scheduled first-round clash on Centre Court on Tuesday.
“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,” said a statement from Murray’s representatives.
“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.”
Murray famously ended Britain’s 77-year wait for a men’s champion at Wimbledon when he triumphed in 2013.
He added a second title in 2016, taking his career majors total to three after breaking his duck at the 2012 US Open.
That win in New York came just weeks after he had lost his first Wimbledon final to Roger Federer.
Murray, who has never been defeated in the first round at Wimbledon, has not progressed past the quarter-finals since his 2016 triumph.
