Andy Murray to have back surgery AGAIN in a bid to be ready for what could be his Wimbledon swansong... after retiring from Queen's in heartbreaking setback

Andy Murray will undergo back surgery on Saturday in a bid to be fit for what would almost certainly be his last ever appearance at Wimbledon, which begins on the first of July.

The 37-year-old retired from his second round match at Queen's on Wednesday after only five games against Jordan Thompson. He later explained that nerve pain he had been experiencing in his back spread to his right leg just before he came on court, effectively immobilising him.

'I had loss of power in my right leg. So loss of motor control, had no coordination. Yeah, couldn't move,' he said.

On his treatment options, he added at the time: 'I didn't necessarily get my right side of my back treated after the French Open, because I have, like all tennis players, we have degenerative joints and stuff in the back, but it's all predominantly been left-sided for me for pretty much my whole career. I have never had too many issues with the right side.

'So maybe there is something that can be done between now and then, you know, to help the right side.'

Murray had a painkilling injection in the left side of his back last week so it was thought he might have something similar done to the right side. But the fact he is going under the knife suggests the problem is more serious, although the surgery is believed to be minor.

Ordinarily, a player undergoing surgery would be an extreme long shot to compete in a Grand Slam 10 days later. But if Murray decides Wimbledon will be his final event before retirement, he will likely drag himself to the starting post if he is in any sort of shape to compete.

As former British No1 John Lloyd put it on the BBC after Murray's withdrawal against Thompson: 'He'll do everything he can to play at Wimbledon, even if it's on a walking stick.'