He experienced the greatest moments of his brilliant career there. Having become a British hero, “Sir Andy” won two titles on the grass of the All England Club – succeeding Fred Perry 77 years later in 2013 – and even an Olympic gold medal. So obviously, before taking his leave, he couldn’t not go back to Wimbledon. But will his body, so capricious in recent years, prevent him from doing so? While a good part of the press in his country had quickly resigned themselves to it after the announcement of his back operation ten days ago, he fought to accomplish one last miracle.
Andy Murray will not make his decision to play his first round official until Tuesday, the same day as the match scheduled for the third rotation on Centre Court. But what he himself considered unlikely a week ago is about to come true.I have been training these last few dayshe revealed on Sunday at a pre-tournament press conference. I played a set today (Sunday, Editor’s note) and it went pretty well, but I still haven’t regained all the feeling in my leg..”
With his spine out of danger, he could reopen his scar at worst
If he actually manages to make it, it would be a small miracle. Because the man who has been playing with a metal hip for five years has not tried to hide the complexity of the problem.My back pain is gone, which is obviously really good. I had a fairly large cyst that was compressing my nerves, which meant that I had not completely but largely lost control of my right leg. It’s getting better. But it’s a bit like when you sleep on your arm, you wake up and you can’t feel it anymore. And how long it’s going to take for my leg to function normally again is impossible to say. For some it takes months, for others it takes weeks.“, he further explained.
Suffering, Murray gives up after five games
Once the facts of the problem are well in mind, a question quickly comes to mind: would trying to play at all costs not be taking an inconsiderate risk? It should not be forgotten that the cyst removed from Murray was at the level of the spine. The latter, however, is not at risk according to the doctors. At this stage, the former world number 1 would only expose himself to the worst of a potential reopening of his back scar and it would take more than that to scare him, given everything he has already been through. But he does not want to appear on the court as an expiatory victim.
“I want to play at a level that satisfies me. I don’t want to be in a situation comparable to that of Queen’s. (he had given up after 5 games against Jordan Thompson without being able to move, Editor’s note). I don’t want to come out on the court and be uncomfortable or at least not be competitive. What am I looking for? The opportunity to play here again, for the last time. That’s pretty much it.” he explained.
A tribute? “In Australia it was clumsy, it’s different this time”
Of course, Murray wants to say goodbye to a crowd that made him experience his greatest emotions by transcending him with their support. At Wimbledon, Murray experienced it all: the promises of blossoming, the pressure and weight of expectations from an entire people and a sometimes cruel press, the relief of having endured them and the deliverance of collective euphoria. So, treading this grass one last time, whether it’s Tuesday in singles or later in the week in doubles with his brother Jamie, is a way of mourning his incredible adventure.
“It’s a place that has really given me a lot over time. In the last few years, Serena (Williams) stopped playing, Roger (Federer) stopped playing and Rafa has obviously spoken a lot about the struggles he’s been through recently. Everyone has an idea of how they want to leave. I probably would have seen it happen at Wimbledon. Of course, I have the Olympics coming up, but I would love to have the opportunity to play here one more time. I don’t think I hope for one thing in particular. When the end is coming, you hope maybe to turn the page. I want the opportunity to play on Centre Court and feel that excitement. Last year, I didn’t anticipate that this would be my last season on tour. I wanted to come back and play again, whereas this year I don’t have any intention of doing that..”
And if on Tuesday he were to appear on Centre Court and actually live his last match there, tears could well flow. All the more so if a special tribute were paid to him… “Sir Andy” would in any case not be against it, and he implied it in his own way, by recalling the precedent of Melbourne in 2019 and his false farewell before his hip operation.I don’t know what would be appropriate to do. I know what happened in Australia a few years ago was a bit clumsy. It’s different this time.” he concluded, with a wry smile.
