Andy Murray was forced to retire from his second-round match against Jordan Thompson at The Queen’s Club on Wednesday. Murray was losing 4-1 in the first set when he pulled out, having received treatment around the lower back area and hips after three games. It was later confirmed Murray had an issue with his back.The 37-year-old is hoping to play at Wimbledon, which begins on July 1, for what is expected to be his last appearance at the Grand Slam. “Never the way you want to go through, especially with a great champion like Andy. This tournament he’s dominated and he loves the grass,” said Thompson. “I was looking forward to coming out and playing in front of everyone. A disappointing way to finish.”
Match Summary:
- Opponent: Jordan Thompson
- Score: 4-1 (Thompson leading)
- Injury: Back and hip issues
- Outcome: Murray retired from the match
Murray’s Condition:
Murray walked gingerly out onto the court, and it quickly became clear he was not moving properly as he lost the opening two games. He held serve but lost two more games before deciding to retire, receiving a standing ovation from the crowd as he waved to the spectators. Murray, who only returned to action last month after eight weeks out due to damaged ankle ligaments in late March, is set to play in singles and the men’s doubles alongside brother Jamie Murray at Wimbledon.
Future Prospects:
The Olympic Games in Paris follow, with Murray named in Great Britain’s squad after the International Tennis Federation awarded him a place, having won singles gold in London 2012 and Rio 2016. Tennis at the Olympics begins on July 27, with Murray nominated to play singles and men’s doubles with Dan Evans. He has indicated he will retire after this summer.
Insightful Commentary:
Sky Sports‘ Nigel Chiu commented, “This is a massive blow for Murray. He’s come back from injury so many times and got back into the world’s top 40 last year after career-threatening hip surgery in 2019, which no singles player had ever been able to come back from. Murray will do everything to play at Wimbledon, even if he’s only 60 percent fit, but it’s not how he will want to play what will likely be his last appearance at the All-England Club.”
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Table: Andy Murray’s Recent Matches and Injuries
| Date | Event | Opponent | Result | Injury Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-06-19 | Queen’s Club | Jordan Thompson | Retired | Back and hip issues |
| 2024-06-18 | Queen’s Club | Alexei Popyrin | Won 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 | No apparent discomfort post-match |
| 2024-03 | Miami Open | N/A | Retired | Ankle ligament injuries |
Key Points:
- Murray’s participation in Wimbledon and the Olympics is in serious doubt due to his recent back injury.
- He is scheduled to undergo surgery on his back, which will determine his ability to compete in upcoming events.
- Murray has a history of overcoming significant injuries, including career-threatening hip surgery in 2019.
Conclusion:
Andy Murray’s recent retirement from the Queen’s Club match due to back and hip issues casts doubt on his participation in Wimbledon and the Olympics. Despite his determination and history of overcoming injuries, his future in professional tennis remains uncertain.
