Andy Murray retired from his Queen’s Club match against Jordan Thomson (Picture: Getty)
Andy Murray has picked up a worrying new injury at Queen’s Club less than two weeks before Wimbledon in what could derail his retirement plans.
Murray, who has spoken openly about retirement on several occasions this year, is planning to call it a day at this year’s Championships or at the Paris Olympics.
But the 37-year-old two-time Wimbledon champion and former world No.1, who plays with a metal hip after career-saving surgery, has suffered a fresh injury blow.
It is not yet currently known how severe Murray’s new injury is or how it will impact his preparations for Wimbledon but it is a huge concern ahead of SW19.
Murray appeared to hurt himself in the warm-up prior to his Queen’s Club match match against Jordan Thomson on Wednesday, which forced him to retire in the first set with what seemed to be a lower back issue.
He was massively struggling to move in the early stages of the match and the crowd went silent as a medical time-out was called.
‘I wonder if he did something literally in the warm-up,’ former GB Davis Cup captain John Lloyd told the BBC, ahead of Wimbledon getting underway on July 1.
Andy Murray’s final appearance at Queen’s Club was cut short (Picture: Getty)
‘This match is not going to last long if this continues. I can’t imagine him finishing the match. I think at the changeover he’ll either get the trainer on or he’ll default.’
Murray was eventually able to get up and continue which led to a huge roar from British fans as they offered a mix of encouragement and sympathy.
But it didn’t last for long as the match was eventually postponed with Thomson leading 4-1 in the first set.
Andy Murray only returned from an ankle injury in May (Picture: Getty)
Murray spoke about hanging up his racket earlier this week as he told the BBC: ‘I don’t think [I will play at the 2024 US Open or the Davis Cup].
‘Probably if I was going to finish my career I would rather finish at Wimbledon or an Olympic Games – to me that would probably be more fitting.
‘I’ve had amazing experiences and memories from Wimbledon, but also being part of British Olympics teams. To get a chance to compete at a fifth one is a reason to stay motivated and continue playing. Like I said, a lot of it is based on results and physically how I’m feeling as well.’