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Andy Murray's potential path to Wimbledon final sees him on collision course with Novak Djokovic and could set up all British semi-final with up-and-coming star Jack Draper... IF he plays in this year's singles competition

4 months ago 25

Andy Murray could provide dream scenario for British tennis fans and set up a semi-final with Jack Draper at this year's Wimbledon.

However, there are still massive question marks over the fitness of the two-time champion following surgery on a spinal cyst.

The 37-year-old originally planned to retire after the Olympics but revealed he may consider a different exit strategy should he be unable to play at either next week's Championships on in Paris.


Fans of the three-time Grand Slam winner though will be hoping that he is able to play in SW19 and provide them with one more fairytale moment.

But there is some stiff competition on the horizon if he is to give everyone one more magical run.

Andy Murray would face a difficult path if he was able to play in this year's Wimbledon Championships

The two-time Wimbledon Champions was forced to withdraw from Queens due to injury and has since had surgery on a spinal cyst

It is not the easiest of starts for Murray either, he was drawn against Tomas Machac in the opening round of Friday's chaotic draw.

The Czech star recently beat the former Wimbledon Champion in a gruelling three set match at the Miami Open back in March.

If he can overcome Machac, then he will face the winner of 26th seed Francisco Cerundolo and Roman Safiullin.

After that would potentially be the 27th seed and 2021 semi-finalist Poland's Hubert Hurkacz.

And it certainly wouldn't get any easier for Murray in the fourth round where he could face Alex de Minaur who has impressed on the tour this year having claimed a win over Novak Djokovic as well as quarter-final finish at the French Open.

Novak Djokovic would make for a blockbuster quarter-final match for Murray

There is also the outside chance of an all-British semi-final against the up-and-coming Jack Draper

Though it is more likely he would face fourth seed Alexander Zverev should he make it to the semi-final

If he can overcome the Australian then it could set up a blockbuster quarter-final against career rival Novak Djokovic, the man Murray beat to claim his first Wimbledon title.

That could lead to an all British semi-final with Jack Draper who put on an impressive performance at Queens last week, beating Carlos Alcaraz.

Though it is more likely that he would face one of Alexander Zverev, Andrey Rublev or Stefanos Tsitsipas, the Greek star ousted Murray in five sets at last year's tournament.

Of course this is all speculation, with it yet to be seen whether the 37-year-old will even feature this year, or if he does, if he has enough in the tank.

But as with all tournaments, no one could blame the fans for being optimistic and dreaming when they look at the draw.

Andy Murray opened up on his tough week following the injury at Queens Club

One thing is for certain, if he could make it to the final it would definitely be the fairytale ending the fans and Murray alike would be hoping for.

Speaking about the surgery on a spinal cyst the former US Open champion said: 'Obviously the last week's been pretty tough, there's obviously a lot going on with me planning on finishing at the Olympics. 

Andy Murray's potential route to the final

First Round: Tomas Machac (CZE)

Second Round:  Francisco Cerundolo (ARG)

Third Round: Hubert Hurkacz (POL)

Fourth Round: Alex de Minaur (AUS)

Quarter-finals: Novak Djokovic (SRB)

Semi-finals: Alexander Zverev (GER)

Final: Carlos Alcaraz (SPA) 

'When I had the injury at Queen's and then had the subsequent scans and doctor's appointments, it was a pretty difficult situation to be in. I was told I had to have the surgery immediately by multiple surgeons. 

'I had a pretty decent sized cyst on my spinal cord which had been seen on a scan post French Open, but it grew significantly in size over the next two to three weeks.

'So I had to have the operation, but I was given multiple different timelines for how long that would take. And also was made aware that if I decided to try to play Wimbledon that there's some risk associated with that and it's whether or not I'm willing to take on that risk.

'But also even with there potentially being a risk, the operation has gone really, really well and I'm recovering really well. I hit some balls yesterday. I'm not in much pain at all, but the nature of nerve injuries is that they're quite slow to recover.

'I don't know exactly how long it's going take for the nerve to get to a stage where I'm able to compete, whether that's three days or whether it's three weeks or five weeks. It's impossible to say.

'I'm in a pretty difficult position because I'm recovering really well each day, I'm progressing really well, but I don't know how I'm going to wake up tomorrow and how quickly my nerve is going to recover because it's not the same as injuring a muscle or tearing a muscle.'

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