Andy Murray to leave Wimbledon status to last minute as he hopes for final SW19 hurrah

Andy Murray’s status for what will be his final Wimbledon remains up in the air as the Dunblane tennis star said he would leave his entry into the event “as late as possible”.

The 37-year-old three-time Grand Slam champion has declared that he is likely to retire from the sport following this year’s Wimbledon and the Paris Olympics.

But those efforts to make one final appearance at SW19 were thrown into major doubt after he was forced to retire just five games into his second round match at the Queen’s Club tournament due to a back injury.

Murray had a procedure on the problem in an attempt to make one final run at the grass-court showdown, but now admits that it is “more likely” he will be unable to play singles when the tournament kicks off at the All England Club on Monday.

However, he is more optimistic about his chances of playing doubles at the event alongside brother Jamie - with that event not kicking off until Wednesday, giving Murray more recovery time and a chance of taking his place in the draw.

His name remains in the pot for both singles and doubles competitions at the moment - and Murray admits he is desperate to make it and have one final run in the London sunshine.

He said: “Maybe it’s my ego getting in the way but I feel that I deserve the opportunity to give it until the very last moment to make that decision.

“It’s complicated, and it’s made more complicated because I want to play at Wimbledon one more time.

“I want to have that opportunity to play the tournament.”

Rumours had swirled earlier this week that the operation - believed to be on a spinal cyst in his back - had already ruled him out of Wimbledon.

But these were angrily denied by those close to Murray, including mum Judy, who wrote on her X account: “When your private medical details are leaked to the media by someone you thought you could trust.

“So disappointing. And - FYI - not ruled out yet.”

After Wimbledon, Murray will compete for Team GB - having already claimed gold twice in 2012 and 2016.