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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Matt Majendie

Andy Murray reveals deadline for Wimbledon farewell decision amid fitness battle

Andy Murray will make a decision over his Wimbledon participation by Monday night after playing a set of tennis in practice.

The 37-year-old’s participation still hangs in the balance after undergoing surgery on a spinal cyst last weekend and is hoping to be fit to take on Tomas Machac in the first round on Tuesday.

He is entered in both the singles and doubles, where he is planning to play with brother Jamie if he can prove his fitness in time.

Speaking at Wimbledon on Sunday, he said: “I’m going to play another set again tomorrow. I’m doing some physical testing in the morning to see sort of how far off I am from a physical perspective. Then I will probably make a decision tomorrow evening after that.

“I don’t know exactly how long it’s going to take. But all of the work that we’re doing, the testing we’re doing, is improving every single day with the training and the practising.

“It’s not like I’m playing tennis and it’s taking a step backwards. It’s been getting better every day. I’m hopeful that continues and it’s going to be enough to be on the court on Tuesday.

“Each day it becomes more and more likely that I’ll be able to play properly. But I don’t want to be in a situation like at Queen’s. I don’t want to go on the court and it be awkward or not be able to at least be competitive.”

Murray said there was no risk of doing any lasting damage to his spine by playing too early, the only issue being that the cut where the keyhole surgery was done might reopen.

“My spine is strong and stable,” he said. “The inflammation is coming down every single day. There’s been minimal disruption to the muscles and everything.”

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