Andy Murray is not yet ready to pull out of a final Wimbledon appearance after undergoing surgery to remove a spinal cyst.
A report on Sunday stating that the former world No.1 would not play at SW19 this year appeared to be confirmed by tweets from the ATP and LTA.
But Murray’s management team got the postings taken down as the Scot, 37, has still to take a final decision.
The world No.129 was forced to retire from the cinch championships on Wednesday after revealing he had been suffering from “neural pain” in his lower back which caused him to lose “co-ordination” in his right leg. He went under the knife on Saturday.
Normal recovery time from such spinal surgery would normally take around six weeks. But Murray is not a normal player – and Wimbledon is not an ordinary tournament for the two-time winner – so he is not yet ready to throw in the towel.
The modern method used could see him attempt to get back on court by the end of the week with The Championships starting on July 1.
There is still a strong possibility he will withdraw from the singles although the men’s doubles tournament, which he has entered with his brother Jamie, does not start until Friday July 5.
The deadline for the qualifying draw passed today and Murray had not pulled out by then. If he had no hope of playing, his withdrawal would have allowed the next ranked player to go directly into the main event without entering qualifying.
The next deadline will be a draw at 10am on Friday. Murray is famously indecisive and will not take such a big decision without exhausting all the possibilities and chances. The Olympics next month is also a big doubt. A further update is expected on Monday.
His Davis Cup captain Leon Smith, who coached Murray at the start of his career, said: “I’ve seen the reports and on social media and that’s not my understanding.
“This has come from one source and had a knock-on effect, a lot of people are reporting it but that’s not my understanding.
“He obviously went through a procedure yesterday and you have to wait and see now. My understanding is no decision has been made and let’s hope for the best for Andy.”
Murray has also been named in the Great Britain Olympic team starting on the clay at Roland Garros on July 27. His doubles partner Dan Evans is also a fitness doubt after suffering a knee injury at Queen’s Club.
