ANDY MURRAY has admitted defeat in his attempt to play at this year’s Wimbledon. The 31-year-old took the decision with his team to withdraw from the event, just two days before he was due to enter the competition against Benoit Paire. Despite what he said was “significant progress” at Queen’s Club then Eastbourne, the feeling was that he wasn’t ready yet to play five-set matches so soon in his comeback from a serious hip problem. He will immediately begin preparing for the US hard court swing, starting in Washington.

“It’s with regret I’m withdrawing from Wimbledon,” he said. “I’ve made significant progress in practice and matches over the last ten days, but after lengthy discussions with my team and with a heavy heart, we’ve decided that playing best of five set matches might be a bit too soon in the recovery process. We did everything we could to try to be ready in time.

“I will start practising on the hard courts from tomorrow and continuing with my rehab and recovery and I’m looking forward to the US hardcourt season. Thanks for all the messages of support and I’m excited to finally be back playing after so long out.”