'Wrap it up' - Nick Kyrgios issues heartfelt plea to Andy Murray ahead of Wimbledon opener

Andy Murray has been told to pull out of Wimbledon if he isn't fully match-fit having only recently undergone back surgery.

That's the opinion of friend and 2022 Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios, who has pleaded with the Scotsman to put his health first.

4 Murray will be playing through the pain in what could be his last Wimbledon Credit: Getty

Murray sparked fears that he could miss Wimbledon and the Paris 2024 Olympics following his early retirement at the Queen's Club Championship last month.

It led to the 37-year-old to have an operation to remove a spinal cyst, with it advised he should take six to 12 weeks off to recover.

But Murray is risking rushing back from surgery early to compete in what could be his final Wimbledon tournament.

Should Murray go through with his first-round clash against Tomas Machac on Tuesday, it will be just ten days since he went under the knife, and less than 24 hours later, he is scheduled to be in doubles action alongside brother Jamie.

Kyrgios is fully aware of playing through the pain, with the Australian having to withdraw from Wimbledon due to a wrist injury.

And he has declared that the three-time Grand Slam champion should pull out at SW19 if he is anything less that 100 per cent fit.

The BBC Sport pundit said: "I don’t know much about it personally, but Andy Murray is a legend of this sport.

"He’s arguably one of the best to ever do it, so I completely understand him trying to get out here and get in front of his fans one last time.

4 Three-time Grand Slam champion Murray only recently underwent spinal surgery Credit: Getty

4 Kyrgios (middle) has called on Murray to put his health first Credit: BBC Sport

“I don’t think I’ve played through something as severe as that.

“At the end of the day I’ve got a pretty good relationship with Andy, I don’t want him to do anything permanent to even affect his life after tennis.

"Andy Murray is a legend of the sport."

Nick Kyrgios has given his thoughts on the former #Wimbledon champion's injury woes. #BBCTennis pic.twitter.com/bo5e9Q109w — BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 1, 2024

“If he is feeling good enough to play some dubs (doubles) and get out there and give it one last push, I support it.

"But the way he is grimacing right now I’d say just wrap it up, get the legs up and enjoy it.”

Murray has previously suggested that 2024 will be his last year in the sport.

And he also hinted that he is unlikely to continue competing beyond the Paris Games later this summer.

The two-time Wimbledon winner, who underwent a back operation in 2013 and had hip surgeries in 2018 and 2019, also ruptured his ankle ligaments earlier this year.

Former British No.1 Tim Henman has claimed that Murray deserves a special Wimbledon send-off, before stressing he hopes his injury problems over the years won't have an affect on his future after retiring.

Henman remarked: "His career deserves this. He’s given so much to the sport and given so much to this event and he wants to be out there in front of British fans one more time.

"But when you understand what he’s been through - he had back surgery a long time ago, he had the well documented hip surgery and then only nine or ten days ago to have had surgery to remove a cyst close to his spinal cord - it just emphasises his hunger and desire to get out there.

4 Murray was forced to retire at Queen's Club last month to spark fear from fans Credit: Getty

“Fingers crossed he can get out there and have one last chance to be on Centre Court.

“I echo Nick’s words that I hope he doesn’t do any sort of permanent or lasting damage. It’s pretty clear to see he loves this sport.”

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