'GUTTED' FANS INSIST ANDY MURRAY 'DESERVED A BETTER ENDING THAN THIS' AS THE SCOT IS FORCED TO CALL TIME ON HIS MEN'S SINGLES CAREER AT WIMBLEDON AFTER WITHDRAWING FROM FIRST ROUND TIE AGAINST TOMAS MACHAC THROUGH INJURY

• Andy Murray has withdrawn from playing in the men's singles at Wimbledon
• The Scot had undergone surgery on a spinal cyst in the build-up to the event
• Tennis fans were left upset as Murray's Wimbledon singles career was ended 

Tennis fans have been left distraught as Andy Murray's men's single career at Wimbledon was brought to a crushing end without him even hitting a ball.

The two-time Wimbledon champion made the 'very difficult' decision to withdraw from his first-round tie against Tomas Machac after confirming he had been unable to recover from an injury in time.

Murray underwent surgery on a spinal cyst just over a week ago and despite his best attempts has failed to regain match fitness for his opening clash at this year's edition of Wimbledon.

The Scotsman will still play alongside his brother, Jamie, in the doubles, but his singles career at the All England Club is now over as Murray prepares to retire from tennis.

His decision to pull out of the tournament is a major blow to organisers and fans who have previously made Murray the centre of attention on his trips to SW19.

Thousands flock to England's capital hoping to catch a glimpse of the homegrown star on Centre Court, with Murray now never to return in a singles capacity on the grass surface again.

It means Murray's five-set defeat by Stefanos Tsitsipas on Centre Court in the second round last year will go down as his last singles match at Wimbledon.

Fans of Murray posted their sadness on social media in the wake of the announcement as one comment on X stated: 'What a shame. Deserved to go out his own way.'

Another similarly added: 'It's such a shame that Andy Murrays singles career at Wimbledon has ended like this...'.

A third post supporting Murray quipped: 'The most important sportsman in Scotland/the wider UK this century. Deserves a better ending than this.'

Others described Murray's circumstances as 'unfair' and explained they had been left 'gutted' by the news that many were fearing wouldn't happen.

Announcing his decision to not participate in the Wimbledon men's singles for a final time, Murray's team stated: '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. 

'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.'

Mail Sport took to Murray Mound on Tuesday to speak to fans about the Scot's withdrawal. 

Pauline Medlin, who travelled from North Carolina to watch the action at Wimbledon, described Murray as 'extraordinary' and admitted he is one of her favourite athletes.

'I hate it for him that he has had to pull out,' she told Mail Sport. 'I was hoping he was going to be able to make it. He was always one of my favourite players and I really admire what he has done, but his body just won't hold up.

'The fact he has a metal hip and has still managed to play is extraordinary. I don't know how he has managed to play over the last few years. Obviously, he really has a love for the game and for this tournament.'

Louise, from London, added: 'It's sad but he'd had such an incredible run. He has done Britain and tennis in the UK proud. 

'He has grown it, he's an incredible ambassador for the sport, for both men and women and if it saves his body for the doubles and we get to see him playing with his brother for one last time, what better way to bow out with your family? 

'I think it's incredible and we're going to have an amazing day here, but he's an incredible ambassador and you can't fault him.

'We would have loved to have seen him at Wimbledon, but you also get to see some amazing other players on Centre Court, and we can't ask for much more. It's a great day out - it's quintessentially British and here's to a cracking day. We've taken the day off work to be here.'

Natalie Hay, from Kilmarnock, said after waiting in the Wimbledon queues for more than six hours: 'It's sad he's not going to play; we were so excited when we found out he was supposed to be playing today. It's really sad he's injured, and he can't play, but we will still be behind him. Hopefully he will play in the doubles.

'It's just been so nice to have somebody to get behind, that's Scottish. Normally they're all English. Not that that's a problem but we always like to get behind the Scots.

'He has done so much for tennis - I don't play tennis myself, but it's thanks to Andy Murray that we now watch it and that we are here today.

'My abiding memory of him will be winning twice here - I was still in school, and we were all drawing Scotland flags and it was a really big deal for him to make it to the final and then win it. The whole art department was just blue and white - all the Higher arts' students' work was taken down and replaced by Saltires. It was great.'

Another proud Scot, Aynsley Milne, added: 'Andy has inspired the nation, he really has. The younger generation too - bringing tennis to fruition. He has been a huge inspiration to youngsters. Even winning the Olympics - it was a really good time to be Scottish when he won Wimbledon.

'I think more people were playing tennis in Scotland during the time he was in his prime. The local courts in Kilmarnock were all full at that point. But we don't have the weather for it and this summer has been a washout!

'We'll now be rooting for Cameron Norrie.'

The healing process on Murray's surgery is going well and improving every day, but it hadn't healed enough for him to be at his best in a singles matchup. 

Instead, Murray will begin his final Wimbledon foray alongside his brother on either Friday or Saturday when the doubles duo get their tournament underway.

Read more

2024-07-02T10:20:12Z dg43tfdfdgfd