Murray wants Wimbledon ‘closure’ as fitness race goes on

Britain’s Andy Murray says he is fighting to be fit for Wimbledon because he wants “a bit of closure” at the All England Club before retiring later this year.

The two-time champion, 37, does not plan to play much past the summer and his preparations for a Wimbledon farewell have been dented by a back issue, which required surgery.

Murray says he will decide on “Monday evening” whether he will play in the singles, although he admits it is “more likely” he will only play doubles.

The world number 115 is due to play Tomas Machac of the Czech Republic on Tuesday.

“I don’t think there’s one thing that I’m hoping for. When it comes to the end, I don’t know, maybe a bit of closure,” said Murray, who won Wimbledon in 2013 and 2016.

“I just want the opportunity to play one more time out there, hopefully on Centre Court, and feel that buzz.

“Last year, I wasn’t planning on it being my last year on the tour. I wanted to come back and play again, whereas this year I have no plans to do that.”

If Murray does not play singles, the Scot might still be fit enough to take part in the doubles alongside older brother Jamie later next week.

Murray had a cyst close to his spinal cord removed eight days ago because it was causing nerve pain in his right leg.

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.”