Andy Murray has endured a nightmare week, less than ten days out from Wimbledon.
Having impressed in the opening round against Alexei Popyrin, expectation was growing as he then faced another Australian, Jordan Thompson.
There was hope he might continue his fine form in a tournament that he has won five times, the most in the tournament’s history, until disaster stuck.
He was quite clearly hampered before the match had even begun, and put up little fight as he fell into a 4-1 deficit in the first set.
Murray had to retire from the match, and his immediate fitness was instantly thrown into huge doubt.
Jamie Murray delivers Andy Murray injury update
Speaking live on BBC Sport earlier today, Jamie Murray arrived to deliver an update on Andy Murray’s injury.
The British public has been patiently awaiting some kind of information, praying it would be good news ahead of what many thought would be his final Wimbledon anyway.
However, it does not look good, and it seems the brother of the three-time Grand Slam champion has all but confirmed his painful absence.
He delivered the following sad update: ‘I think he saw a specialist yesterday, it was the first time he had seen someone, and I think he is basically trying to do decide what his next move is. I don’t think it’s right for me to get into that. It’s up to him. But he has a few decisions to make.
‘It’s incredibly disappointing for him that this was potentially going to be his last Queen’s and last Wimbledon and Olympics and there’s a potential that that might not be able to happen. I think he has got to make a few decisions and go from there.’
Andy Murray had earned one final Wimbledon run
As one of the greatest tennis players in Great British history, the 37-year-old had definitely earned one final romantic showing on Wimbledon centre court.
The Scotsman, who won the event twice alongside his 2012 US Open, has been struggling for both form and fitness in recent years, ever since his 2019 hip surgery.
It was a procedure that would have retired most, but Murray’s indomitable spirit could not be ground down.
He continues to play, despite widespread scrutiny, ignoring the claims for him to retire.
But with Jamie’s latest comments, it seems like that painful eventuality is nearing.
When Murray does call time on his career, he will be celebrated as the British sporting legend that he is. But, for now, we still await official confirmation from inside Andy’s camp to confirm what many have feared ever since he retired from Queen’s earlier this week.
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