Newspaper and internet reports thread 2

BBC - Andy Murray: Briton 'out for an extended period' with ankle injury

h ttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/68661714

Andy Murray says he will be out for "an extended period" following the ankle injury he sustained at the Miami Open.

The Briton, 36, received treatment following the incident late in the third set of his dramatic 5-7 7-5 7-6 (7-5) defeat by Tomas Machac on Sunday.

He confirmed he suffered a full rupture of his anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) and near full-thickness rupture of his calcaneofibular ligament (CFL).

Murray will now see a specialist to "determine the next steps".

The three-time major winner, who returned from hip resurfacing surgery in 2019, said: "[It] goes without saying this is a tough one to take."

But he added: "I'll be back with one hip and no ankle ligaments when the time is right."

Earlier this year, Murray, who will turn 37 in May, said he is not planning to "play much past this summer" but hopes to compete at another Olympic Games before he retires.

Wimbledon, where he is a two-time champion, begins on 1 July, while the Olympics start in Paris on 24 July.

Direct entry into the Olympic men's singles will be given to the top 56 of the ATP rankings on 10 June.

However, Murray could be placed outside and still qualify because of withdrawals, and he could also be given a spot as a former Olympic champion and Grand Slam winner.

His run to the last 32 in Miami has taken him to 59th in the live rankings before this injury set-back.

Sad sad sad

Such a shame as he was beginnig to play really well.l His body can no longer cope with what he is asking it to do.

Do we know if Andy is now back home?

Not usually the most up to date source but the Dundee Evening Telegraph reports that he is now home but swelling in the ankle means he must wait before consulting specialists.

The Tully is a bastion of journalism!

Thank you, exislander. Glad there were no photos of him at the airport in a wheelchair for folk to make nasty comments (hate social media); hope his ankle heals well and in the timescale for him to enjoy Queen's/Wimbledon. x

Will his ranking be held whilst he is out?

BBC - Andy Murray: No timescale for three-time Grand Slam champion's return after ankle injury

h ttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/68690971

Great to see Andy back hitting today!

Video of Andy Murray celebration and being handed a cake in Bordeaux

h ttps://www.atptour.com/en/video/watch-andy-murray-celebrate-37th-birthday-in-bordeaux-with-special-appearance-from-stan-wawrinka

ATP - Thinker & Tinkerer: Behind Andy Murray's racquet change

h ttps://www.atptour.com/en/news/murray-bordeaux-challenger-2024-feature

You can be sure that shoppers at a Miami sports equipment store didn't have this on their bingo cards around the time of this year's Miami Open: seeing Andy Murray labouring towards the checkout with a mountain of equipment after nearly stripping bare the tennis aisle. Ten racquets, a weighing machine, lead tape... the former No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings wasn't settling for half measures.

Murray, who celebrated his 37th birthday Wednesday, surprised many tennis fans this week when he arrived at the ATP Challenger Tour 175 event in Bordeaux, France with Yonex Ezone racquets in hand, having previously used Head for more than 20 years.

The Scot’s journey to making that change began after a third-round loss in Miami, where he suffered an ankle injury that forced him to miss nearly two months. Despite being away from the match court, Murray tinkered with his new equipment and tested it all ‘in the lab’.

“When I lost in Miami, I went to a sports shop and I bought about 10 racquets. I bought a machine to weigh the racquets, check the balance and swingweight of the racquets. I bought lead tape,” Murray told reporters at the BNP Paribas Primrose. “I measured all the racquets myself.

“It was something to do when I was injured. I tried lots of different racquets. I tested them with Hawkeye when I was able to.”

Murray’s latest change is just further proof that the three-time major champion is not letting any opportunity for improvement pass him by this late in his two-decade career.

“I’ve been playing with the same racquet for 20 years and in that time, things change,” said Murray, who faces Gregoire Barrere on Wednesday in Bordeaux. “The game has changed. I used the same string as well for all of that time.”

Murray also took time at the Bordeaux Challenger to answer fan’s ‘most asked’ questions, drawing laughs from the seventh-seeded wild card as he discussed his sense of humor on social media and whether he and Jamie Murray are twins.

Interesting read. How amazing is our Andy, he lives and breathes tennis! x

Truly fascinating!
Lots of folks in the tennis world are surprised he’s changing racquets at this stage in his career

tennis.com - h ttps://www.tennis.com/baseline/articles/andy-murray-roland-garros-taking-the-legend-on-a-parisian-trip-down-memory-lane-wawrinka


video of the interview
h ttps://twitter.com/i/status/1794760650524160301

Roland Garros - ANDY MURRAY’S CLAY LEGACY: A TRIUMPH - h ttps://www.rolandgarros.com/en-us/article/rg2024-and-yet-master-it-he-did


BBC - No 'perfect ending' but Murray proud of French Open legacy - h ttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/articles/c1wwzw2pnygo

BBC - Murray pulls out of Surbiton Trophy defence - h ttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/articles/c3ggd5lrwlgo

However, Murray said he had been struggling with his back during his time in Paris.

"It's been a tough decision but one my team and I felt we needed to make," the Scot said.

Andy will have a 'procedure' on his injured back on Saturday.
Trying all ways to be ready to play tennis again!

Bouncy was speculating about the word "procedure"....I think medically it's something short of an operation. Martin had a heart "procedure" that he was awake for and as an outpatient. So fingers crossed Andy's team are using the medical term.

h ttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/articles/cv22y2037mwo

Murray to undergo back procedure before Wimbledon

Reports saying it was a cyst in his back he had removed which sounds bigger than I’d thought.
Some rumours that he won’t make Wimbledon now.
Not surprising but I’d hoped against hope maybe he could say goodbye there

Apparently it was incorrectly announced by ATP on Sunday on twitter that Andy had retired from Wimbledon but he hasn't. So lots of false rumours have started from that.

BBC - h ttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/articles/cj777kl4nydo

Injured Murray 'not made decision' on Wimbledon farewell

Times - h ttps://www.thetimes.com/sport/tennis/article/andy-murray-has-spinal-cyst-surgery-but-still-hopes-to-make-wimbledon-2mbtpdhhj

Andy Murray’s fairytale Wimbledon farewell ‘still possible’ after surgery
Two-times SW19 champion is recovering from a back operation but claims he has withdrawn from next week’s tournament are premature, say insiders


...
The former world No1 had a minor procedure on a spinal cyst on Saturday, which normally requires a recovery period of four weeks.

However, The Times understands the two-times Wimbledon champion, whose ability to bounce back from medical interventions is fabled, still believes it is possible to be on court at the start of next week.

In a statement, Murray’s management said: “Following his surgery on Saturday, Andy is continuing to work with his medical team to confirm when he will return to the court.

“At this stage, no decisions have been made and we will update further as soon as anything has been finalised.”

The ATP caused confusion on Sunday when it posted on Twitter, known now as X, that “Andy Murray unfortunately withdrew from the Wimbledon Open due to spinal cyst surgery”.

The post was deleted and withdrawn at the request of Murray’s camp and his former coach, Leon Smith, clarified that he had not yet pulled out.


“I’ve seen the reports, and on social media, and that’s not my understanding,” Smith told the BBC. “This has come from one source and had a knock-on effect. A lot of people are reporting it but that’s not my understanding.

“He obviously went through a procedure yesterday and you have to wait and see now. My understanding is no decision has been made and let’s hope for the best for Andy.”

If Murray is not fit enough to play singles, the final wild card in the less physically demanding doubles draw has been left open in case he wishes to play with his brother Jamie.
....

BBC - w ww.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/articles/c0vvv01g3r7o

The unseeded men aiming to cause Wimbledon shocks

BBC - h ttps://www.atptour.com/en/scores/current/eastbourne/741/daily-schedule

GB's Klugman, 15, one win from reaching Wimbledon

http s://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/articles/c3g527q1z0vo

The people v Andy Murray.

BBC - h ttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/articles/c4ngvey07kvo

Murray to make Wimbledon decision 'as late as possible'


Andy Murray will make a decision "as late as possible" about a farewell Wimbledon appearance - but says it is "more likely" he will be unable to play singles next week.

The 37-year-old Briton has returned to training after having a procedure on a back issue at the weekend.

Former world number one Murray, who won two of his three Grand Slam titles at Wimbledon, plans to retire later this year.

The Championships start at the All England Club on Monday.

"I'm going to wait until the last minute to see if I'm going to be able to play and I've earned that right to do that," said Murray, who ended Britain's 77-year wait for a men's singles champion in 2013 and won again in 2016.

"This is not clear-cut where I am 100% going to be ready to play or there is a 0% chance that I can play. That is the situation.

"I would say it's probably more likely that I'm not able to play singles right now."

Before his back problem flared up at Queen's last week, the Scot had intended to play in the singles and doubles - alongside his brother Jamie - at Wimbledon.

Murray's name still remains in the pot for the men's singles draw, which will be made on Friday at 10:00 BST.

The doubles draw takes place at 12:00 BST on Friday with the event starting on Wednesday, but Murray could play later in the week which would give him more recovery time.

"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," said Murray.

"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."

Andy time on BBC1.
:yahoo:

BBC - Murray practises as injured stars face Wimbledon race

h ttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/articles/cd1d4nmd4z0o

http s://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/articles/cjl6k58jpxdo

He will decide Monday evening if he can play singles on Tuesday.

From above article

The former world number one says the area where he had the operation is not sore, but still does not have 100% feeling in his leg.

After hitting at Wimbledon on Saturday for the first time since the procedure, Murray returned to the practice courts on Sunday and played a practice set with fellow Briton Jack Pinnington-Jones.

"It's getting better every single day. I want to give it every single chance that I can to get there," said Murray.

"I'm going to play another set again tomorrow. I'm doing some physical testing in the morning to see how far off I am from a physical perspective.

"Then I will probably make a decision tomorrow evening after that."

BBC video interview with Andy over weekend - h ttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/videos/c0jqd323k71o


The Telegraph reported this this afternoon.

2:21PM
Breaking: Murray to speak with family on playing singles
I’ll have chat with my team now, speak to my family this evening and make a decision.

It’s getting better and the testing I’ve done had been good. I just need to decide whether its enough to compete.

BBC - Murray to make Wimbledon decision on Tuesday

h ttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/articles/cye0lz60059o

Speaking after practice earlier on Monday, Murray said: "I'll have a chat with my team, speak to my family this evening and make a decision.

"It's getting better and the testing I've done has been good. I just need to decide whether it's enough to compete."

Murray is fighting to be fit because he wants a bit of "closure" at the All England Club before stopping playing professionally.

The former world number one had the cyst close to his spinal cord removed because it was causing nerve pain in his right leg.

On Sunday, Murray said the area where he had the operation was not sore, but added he still did not have 100% feeling in his leg.

He trained with former British number one Kyle Edmund for over an hour on Monday, leading 6-3 2-0 in a practice match before they stopped.

BBC - Murray out of Wimbledon singles but set to play doubles

h ttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/articles/c1we7xjjvq8o

"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," Murray's team said in a statement.

"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."

BBC - ht tps://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/articles/c3gwej8p625o

Murray and Raducanu to team up in Wimbledon mixed doubles

Andy Murray will play with Emma Raducanu in a superstar mixed doubles partnership as part of his Wimbledon farewell.

Murray, 37, is playing at the Championships for the final time before retiring later this year.

The two-time men's singles champion decided on Tuesday he was not fit enough to play in the singles after a recent back operation.

Murray will play in the men's doubles alongside older brother Jamie and has now also opted to join forces with fellow Briton Raducanu in an eye-catching pairing.

Speaking after practice on Tuesday, and before the news broke on Wednesday about his partnership with Raducanu, Murray said: "Doubles is a slightly different game in terms of the physicality of it and I am looking forward to that."

Murray played with American great Serena Williams in the 2019 mixed doubles at Wimbledon, describing it as a "once in a lifetime" opportunity.

Playing alongside 2021 US Open champion Raducanu is set to be another special occasion in the final weeks of his illustrious career.

Speaking on Monday, Raducanu said that teaming up with Murray in the Wimbledon mixed doubles was "always a childhood dream".

"Wimbledon is Andy Murray on Centre Court," she said.

On Wednesday, Murray said he thought his opening men's doubles match with Jamie would take place on Thursday.

The mixed doubles is set to start on Friday, with first-round matches also being played on Saturday.

BBC - Murray's Wimbledon career over as Raducanu pulls out of doubles

h ttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/articles/cz9x74erp37o

Andy Murray's Wimbledon career is over after Emma Raducanu pulled out of their planned appearance in the mixed doubles.

Former world number one Murray, 37, was due to play alongside his fellow Briton on Saturday evening at the All England Club.

Raducanu, 21, said she has "some stiffness" in her right wrist.

She moved into the fourth round of the women's singles with a dominant two-set win over Greek ninth seed Maria Sakkari on Friday.

"I have decided to make the very tough decision to withdraw from the mixed doubles," she said.

"I’m disappointed as I was really looking forward to playing with Andy but I've got to take care."

Murray, a two-time singles champion at Wimbledon, was playing at SW19 for the last time before retiring later this year.

The Scot is also said to be "disappointed" that he is unable to play alongside 2021 US Open champion Raducanu.

Murray's mother Judy, in response to a post on X from television presenter Marcus Buckland describing Raducanu's decision as "astonishing", wrote: "Yes, astonishing."

He was not permitted to find a replacement partner for Raducanu under tournament rules because the draw had already been made.

Murray and Raducanu, who were set to play China's Zhang Shuai and El Salvador's Marcelo Arevalo, have been replaced by an alternate pairing.

It means Murray made his final appearance on Thursday when he lost alongside older brother Jamie in the men's doubles.

A video montage of Murray's career was played on the Centre Court big screen after the match, leaving the former world number one in tears as thousands of fans showed their appreciation.

Murray pulled out of the singles on Tuesday as he continues to recover from a back operation on 22 June.

The three-time major champion is planning to retire later this year, with the Paris 2024 Olympic Games set to be his final event.

'Schedule put Raducanu in very awkward position' - analysis
BBC tennis correspondent Russell Fuller at Wimbledon

Saturday’s schedule played a major part in Emma Raducanu's decision.

Being asked to play in the fourth match of the day on Court One is the same as being asked to play in a night session.

And given this Grand Slam is a predominantly daytime event, you can understand why a player would not want to spend all evening on site with a fourth-round singles match the following day.

The schedule put Raducanu in a very awkward position, and has led to a decision which will be very disappointing for Murray and everyone looking forward to what would have been a fun finale to his Wimbledon career.

This was no ordinary mixed doubles pairing, although players do regularly prioritise singles over doubles.

And there can be no change of partner once the draw is made. So instead of Murray teaming up with another British player, American alternates Rajeev Ram and Katie Volynets come into the draw.

Telegraph - Judy Murray ‘astonished’ by Raducanu’s withdrawal from mixed doubles with Andy

h ttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/tennis/2024/07/06/emma-raducanu-pulls-out-of-mixed-doubles-with-andy-murray/



Telegraph - Emma Raducanu defends decision to team up with Andy Murray for mixed doubles

h ttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/tennis/2024/07/06/emma-raducanu-pulls-out-of-mixed-doubles-with-andy-murray/

As excitement builds about what Raducanu can achieve in the singles, her team expressed doubt about wisdom of also playing mixed doubles

Guardian - Andy Murray’s Wimbledon career over as Raducanu pulls out of mixed doubles

h ttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/article/2024/jul/06/andy-murray-wimbledon-career-over-emma-raducanu-pulls-out-of-mixed-doubles

Murray will now head off on a family holiday before preparing for the final event of his career at the Olympics in Paris, where he is entered in singles as well as the doubles with Dan Evans.

Sky Sports - h ttps://www.skysports.com/tennis/news/32498/13174604/wimbledon-judy-murray-clarifies-emma-raducanu-post-and-points-finger-at-schedule

Wimbledon: Judy Murray clarifies Emma Raducanu post and points finger at schedule