Andy Murray to 'undergo back procedure' after withdrawing from Surbiton Trophy title defence... but is eager for a grass court return ahead of Wimbledon

Andy Murray admitted he is eager to get on to the grass after suffering back pain during the clay court season.

The 37-year-old plans to have ‘a procedure’ on his back – not thought to be anything serious – in the next few days before heading to the Stuttgart Open.

‘I really didn’t feel good,’ said Murray, who lost in the first round of both the singles and doubles of the French Open.

‘My back has been a problem the last few weeks. For practice and stuff, it has not been great. To be honest I always used to have a procedure on my back the week before the French Open.

‘In my prime, clay always caused issues with my back. So I would always have a procedure the week before the French Open. I didn’t this year. I was moving okay. Really not feeling that comfortable on the court.

'I am hoping when I get home I will have a procedure on my back and have a few days’ rest and then should be fine.’ 

Murray withdrew from the Surbiton Trophy on Saturday – this was always likely given his participation here – but is excited to get back to his natural habitat on grass.

‘It’s probably the surface that is easiest on my body nowadays, the surface I would still fancy my chances on and play my best tennis on. I always look forward to this time of the year.’

Murray clarified that there was no reason for alarm over his withdrawal from Surbiton – where he won the title last year – saying he had already told the tournament he was unlikely to play but was asked to enter anyway to avoid having to take up a wildcard if he changed his plans.

‘I don’t feel like I am letting the tournament down by that,’ he said. 

‘I was asked to enter the tournament because the LTA want to use the wildcards for guys that need them. So they asked if I could enter. I said it was unlikely that I was going to play.’