Andy Murray will undergo reportedly “minor” surgery on his ailing back and he is expected to miss the rest of the 2013 season. Murray, previously scheduled to return next week in Bangkok, has an outside chance of coming back for the World Tour Finals in London.
“Next week Andy is set to undergo minor back surgery in an effort to clear up a longstanding back problem,” read a statement made by Murray’s management team. “He will definitely miss tournaments in Bangkok, Tokyo and Shanghai.
“The issue flared up during the Italian Open this year when Andy was forced to retire and he sought advice from a range of specialists. After recently playing on hard courts and clay, Andy once again sought medical advice about solving the issue once and for all. The aim is to be fully fit for the new season.”
Thanks so much for all the nice messages today... Having operation on monday.. Will let everyone know how it goes.. Ill be "back" stronger
— Andy Murray (@andy_murray) September 19, 2013
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Oh no 🙁 Poor, poor Andy. 🙁
Apart from the fact that back surgery is never nice, can be dicey and sometimes doesn’t work….apart from all that…… he’ll go mad with the required inactivity 🙁
Get well soon Andy.come back stronger you’ll be missed.
And I have tickets for the WTF. Bummer.
At least Muzza won’t have to suffer the indignity of having whispers of “silent ban” floating about, he isn’t a threat to Fed’s legacy……..yet.
#JankoSigh
Quite agree with Matt Wilansky, this break could turn out to be a blessing in disguise for Muzza, just what the Doctor ordered to get his focus back:
http://espn.go.com/blog/espntennis/post/_/id/885/long-break-just-what-murray-needed
How does the British media feel about their chances against the US in Davis Cup now?
So far largely upbeat. Based on the assumption that he will play.
The tennis correspondent for the Daily Telegraph has this to say:
http://preview.tinyurl.com/mf64vaw
As the USA are almost certain to choose clay for the encounter with GB, this would be bad news for Andy so soon after surgery since the concensus is clay courts contributed to the back problem in the first place. IMO he will not play, however much he may want to.
That’s the spirit! Don’t see any point in being pessimistic before the op has even taken place and we hear how it went. His camp say it’s a minor op, I for one will take them at their word at this point.
I don’t think back surgery is ever a blessing in disguise. I think it’s happening because it’s necessary. Apparently it keeps flaring up and conservative treatments have not been successful.
Back surgery is never a fun thing, but there is so much new technology and much less invasive procedures now. They did say that it was “minor” so that’s a bit of encouraging news.
At least it is something that can be corrected with surgery. I have lived with back pain all my life since a terrible car accident when I was twenty years old. My condition cannot be fixed with surgery, so I have to live with it and get relief from periodic epidurals and physical therapy.
I am sure that Andy has been given the best medical advice. It’s better to deal with it now and not let it get worse and interfere with his career. He has a lot of years ahead of him and this surgery should allow him to compete fully and without discomfort and pain.
I can only wish him the very best and look forward to seeing him back on the court playing again in the near future.
@nny, If your statement, “I don’t think back surgery is ever a blessing in disguise.” is a response to my post of 8:03 pm, you are taking my post completely out of context. Neither do I think Matt Wilansky, in his article, is saying, or implying that it’s the surgery that is a blessing in disguise.
It’s the break, not the surgery, that is a blessing in disguise.
I will leave it at that.
ritb,
Obviously my comment was directed at what you said. I didn’t take anything out of context. I simply expressed my feelings regarding a player having to take time off for back surgery.
I am speaking as someone who has lived with chronic pain all my life. In my case, surgery is not an option. It is a degenerative condition. I have had whatever treatment is available to be able to live my life.
I feel compassion for anyone dealing with back problems. What I said expressed my sentiments on the issue. I stand by what I said.
I’ve just realised the link above @ 5.53 am will not work for most people as the DT is a subscription site. Here are a few key comments from the article:
‘Spinal nerves are not tampered with lightly, and even if the treatment goes well, there is no guarantee that the problem will not recur. While details are not available, it is understood that Murray will be undergoing a microdiscectomy to release the pressure on his sciatic nerve……’
‘Over both the last two seasons, Murray has suffered his worst symptoms during the European clay-court season…….’
‘In Umag last weekend, he played three matches in as many days — again on clay — as he committed all his energy to reclaiming Great Britain’s place in the world group of the Davis Cup. But the impact on his body only reminded him how much of a liability his back has become…………’
‘Murray’s back trouble has already led him to miss the French Open this year. He took a couple of weeks off full training in the lead-up to the grass-court season, but rest tends to be ineffective when it comes to damaged discs.
“They have poor blood supply,” said Richmond Stace, a physiotherapist who specialises in chronic pain, “so healing is slow and as an athlete you may not have the time to wait.”
Am afraid I am very pessimistic about any kind of spinal surgery. It is always dicey and a “cure” is never guaranteed. Thank goodness Andy won 2 slams BEFORE it has happened.
@RITB
I don’t think Andy needed time out to “focus” at all.It is now clear problem’s with his mobility has impeded his movement since Wimbledon. His back troubles were probably constantly on his mind too.
I just hope this hasn’t cut short his career. 🙁
@Deucy, it was Muzza himself who said his Wimbledon win left him drained, hence the poor results post Wimby to date. I am not making this up, not speculating, simply paraphrasing what he himself said.
My opinion is that he needs the break to recover, MENTALLY, as well as physically from the up-coming op of course.
Matt Wilansky captures well what I mean, and I quote:
“His All England Club championship changed everything. It was so intense, in fact, that he probably still doesn’t realize what it means to have singlehandedly exorcized the biggest blight in Great Britain — the ghost of Fred Perry. Understandably, this title, the pinnacle of every Murray aspiration, had to become a distraction as the season wore on. And that’s why Murray’s season-ending back surgery might be the best mental recovery he could have asked for. ”
This is the context for my use of the word “focus”.
In no way am I trivialising his condition. If you feel that is what I am doing, I apologise for making you feel that way but I certainly do not see anything wrong in what I am saying, if you choose to read the context.
I guess that is who I am, I choose to be optimistic and then deal with situations as they come…………
deucy,
It’s not something that should be taken lightly. It’s never a good thing to have to take time off or have surgery. A tennis player’s career is not long as it is and to lose time when in the peak years, is difficult.
I agree with you and that’s why I made the comment that I did. I stand by it.
I am sure this is a difficult time for you. I can only send out my support to someone who has been one of Andy’s staunchest fans. I really feel for you.
I do try to be positive and optimistic when it comes to things like this. We have to hope that this surgery can resolve the problem and permit Andy to continue his career. I would like to see him in this sport for a long time.
Just sending hugs to you! 🙂
The main beneficiary of Andy’s absence is Federer. His place in the WTF is now all but guaranteed.
ritb,
I will make one final comment to the effect that I do not think you meant it to sound the way that it did. But it was kind of jarring to read it put like that.
I just had a instant reaction and that’s why I wrote what I did. It just hit me wrong. So you think that Andy needs to recover mentally and will now have the time to do so.
It just has to be a really difficult time for his fans. After two really good years for him, this is a big blow. From what I am reading, I do understand more now what is going on with his back. I do know that there have been excellent advances in back surgery and that it is not as risky as it was in the past. The information did say that it was “minor” surgery. They can do much less invasive procedures these days with quicker recovery times.
We have to know that Andy is in good hands. I am choosing to keep good thoughts and believe that he will make a great recovery and come back better than ever. I am sure Andy will take a positive outlook also.
If I wasn’t able to think positively, then I would never have been able to live with my own back problems.
Tell you what, this really is my cue to say………bye!
trust that is bye as in à plus tard and not adieu
ritb,
There is no reason for you to feel that way. We have all been together a long time. You feel that I took your words out of context. I explained why I felt the way I did.
There are no hard feelings on my part. I remember when the trolls would get after us for disagreeing amongst ourselves. If we could survive that, then we can survive whatever problems or issues we might have now.
I believe that you were speaking honestly and in a good spirit.
I hope you will decide to stay on here.
Take care. 🙂
@NNY
Thanks for the hug darling
@RITB
Apology accepted
deucy,
As you can say, feelings are running a bit high right now. All I wanted to do is try to be supportive of you during this difficult time. I do know that back surgery can be very successful. I also believe that Andy is getting the very best medical advice. He is in good hands.
The other thing I wanted to share with you is that Lendl had back surgery to correct a long standing problem. I am trying to remember what it was, but whatever the problem it was corrected surgically. He spoke about how he was able to play golf again and become more active. I do know that back problems forced him to retire. So there is reason to be optimistic.
I think this is being done now to give Andy the best chance to play well and be competitive. I choose to think that he will come back to play more great tennis.
I am sorry that this had to kind of get out of control. At least here I can talk about my back problems without getting attacked and accused of wanting sympathy. That’s what happened on TT.
I will keep you in my thoughts.
Since someone else decided it’s time to leave, then maybe I should consider it. I don’t come here to get into arguments. I just want to be able to express my opinion. But that doesn’t seem to be okay.
Will really miss Andy at the year end Masters C’ship…hope he recovers quickly! Will he be ready by Davis Cup match w/USA?
ritb
I too hope this is simply bye from this thread only.
Nice interview with Judy:
http://sport.bt.com/womeninsport/judy-murray-andy-always-comes-back-stronger-S11363834647093
Shocked to hear Muzza to have surgery. That too back surgery.
But I do believe that spinal surgery has made progress by leaps and bounds in recent years.. Andy’s team would have carefully weighed the pros and cons. Does anyone know where this surgery is going to take place and who is the surgeon?
I think Andy’s post Wimbly slump was because of his back problem and not because of anything mental.. He refused to blame his losses on his disability so as not to take away credit from his opponents. And the tards in the media decided this meant he was mentally in a slump.after the Wimbly high.
If Andy continued to play well after winning Olympics and USO ( his first slam!!!) there’s no reason to suppose wining Wimbledon would have made him feel like Bartoli. and retire mentally. He is very disciplined and dedicated. Humble, generous and witty, this man is a true champion in mind and spirit.
Andy, come back strong and fully healed!!
Hope he comes back fully fighting fit for AO 2014 and meets Rafa in the final!
To be fair, Andy said himself that he found it hard to be motivated in training after winning Wimbledon.
Maybe he overdoes the training. He should hire a new fitness trainer.
Reblogged this on Tennis Abides.
@nny, no hard feelings at all. What I meant by ‘bye is maybe I need to stop here, there is nothing to argue about. Honest. It really was à plus tard………..
Cheers.
ritb,
Thanks so much for your reply.
There isn’t much more that can be said. I have to believe that it will turn out well and Andy will be back healthy and playing his best next year.
🙂
I’m cracking up. I think this is only about the third time there has been even a slight misunderstanding but have you noticed how afterwards we all fall over backwards to sooth any ruffled feathers. We’ll be badly short of match play should any of our sworn enemies invade this site. 🙂 or do I mean 🙁
Seriously though, it is a treat to develop ideas and exchange views without all the bickering that seems to be the norm on most forums. But we shouldn’t feel constrained from expressing a strongly worded opinion for fear of causing offence.
^^ indeed ! 🙂
Deucy: I take heart from Judy Murray comments. She sounds very upbeat about the whole business. If anybody was going to be stressing over it it would be she.
I laughed at her story of Lendl being rude about her hair. Funny he said that because I’ve been thinking she looks quite glamorous these days – almost as though she’s had a complete make-over for a Before and After feature in Good Housekeeping. She is also more lighthearted whereas she used to look so severe and it was rare to see her smiling.
You must be so gutted Andy will not be playing the WTF. Will you still go or try to sell your tickets? Each year I toy with the idea of coming over for it but end up deciding it is too big an investment in time and money just before Christmas.
@ed
Can u get iplayer? May have asked you before? Anyway Andy was in the audience of a comedy news prog called “Mock The Week.” The last item they had to riff to was, “Things you wouldn’t hear Andy Murray say.” Worth a look 🙂
No damn it, I can’t. All UK transmissions are blocked. But it will come up on YouTube sooner or later.
PS Yes completely gutted. Dunno what to do 🙁 Andy’s never done especially well there either. Perhaps I should stick to Queens.
Please, please, let’s not have any of that “walking on egg shells” stuff, we are all “growed up”! Publish and be damned, I say! There are no rubbish posters here who will resort to personal insults……..at least for now.
Muzza is my “firewall” between Novak and Rafa so I want him back fit and strong……….not that I don’t trust Rafa to do his own heavy-lifting but…..what are friends for?
ritb,
I am in complete agreement with you. We are all adults here and can disagree respectfully. I don’t see anyone resorting to personal attacks or cheap shots. I also wish that we could just let go of the past. To keep bringing up the possibility that the trolls could find there way to this site and then what would we do, seems to be wishing for something that none of us want.
I have no doubt that everyone here wishes nothing but the best for Andy and a very speedy recovery.
Finally, if you want to go to tennis warehouse, that’s all well and good. I just don’t want you to feel that you have to do it because we had some disagreement. I have been registered on that site for a while and occasionally go there to do some reading. I don’t post very often. I never felt comfortable on that site.
I just don’t want you to feel that you have to do this because of a few words between us. You are valued and respected here and that will never change.
I’ve only just seen this as I flew to Dubai early on Thursday morning. I hope Andy recovers fully soon. It’s not the same without all of the Big 4 in the draw.
Ritb, come over to T Warehouse, you’ll love it there.
I’m already registered on Tennis Warehouse, just haven’t posted yet………….
This is the second time Murray has stepped up to do his duty in DC and then had to take an extended time out to deal with injuries. The first was in 2009 when he played in spite of a recurring wrist problem (which had flared up again at the USO) which resulted in him then missing the following six weeks.
I’m not suggesting Muzza requires surgery because he played DC last weekend but It underlines the thorny problem facing elite players when they feel pressurised to compromise their results on the tour by fulfilling DC commitments.
However, it may proof to be ‘a blessing in disguise’ by forcing him to deal with a problem that has plagued him for years dating back to 2006.
At least now the taunts of being an injury drama queen should abate for a while.
penultimate para:
Correction: it may PROVE to be…………
Murray asking for DC to be compulsory for elite players, isn’t he?
Do I detect a loaded question 😉
Possibly what Andy is suggesting is it shouldn’t be left to the discretion of the player to play or not if called upon by his country’s team captain. We can all guess at whom he is pointing the finger. Declining to play in order to remain fresh for an important upcoming tournament gives a player a decided advantage when facing an opponent who has flown thousands of miles in a matter of days and changed surfaces to boot.
Equally a DC team captain should not call upon a player if it is known he is carrying an injury which will be aggravated.
Difficult to monitor and probably nigh on impossible to enforce. IMO the decision should rest with the player. And commentators, fans and journalists should refrain from censoring any player unless they are in possession of all the facts.
The ITF and the ATP need to look at the whole problem with the welfare of players as their priority. Putting their star attractions at risk smacks of killing the geese who lay the golden eggs.
Murray shouldn’t rush back he should take his time to make sure he is compl,etely healed before going back on tour.
Ooh surgery tomorrow. Hope it goes well.
Good luck Andy 🙂
I didn’t know that the surgery was tomorrow.
Best wishes to Andy for a successful surgery. 🙂
Word on the net is that the op. has been successful and Andy is spending two days in hospital. Not that simple an op. then.
Take care Andy xxxxxxxxxx