Andy Murray’s Wimbledon fate is mired in confusion after he was prematurely ruled out of the tournament.

The ATP Tour reported on Sunday afternoon that the 37-year-old was “sadly out of Wimbledon” after undergoing back surgery the previous day.

But the post on X was promptly deleted and it later transpired it was posted on the back of a newspaper report in the Telegraph that suggested Murray will be out for six weeks following a procedure on a spinal cyst.

Murray’s camp, though, has not officially confirmed the news and it is understood the two-time Wimbledon champion will wait to see how his recovery progresses over the next few days before making a decision about his participation at SW19, which begins a week on Monday.

The Briton has yet to give up hope of making a farewell appearance at this year’s tournament ahead of a possible retirement after the Olympics.

But it still appears highly unlikely as he underwent the procedure on Saturday after withdrawing from his second-round match against Australian Jordan Thompson at Queen’s Club on Wednesday.

The Telegraph reported Murray is set for six weeks on the sidelines following the surgery and the ATP Tour tweeted shortly after the story broke: “After an operation on a spinal cyst, Andy Murray is sadly out of Wimbledon. Rest up and recover Andy, we’ll miss seeing you there.”

The tweet was deleted shortly afterwards.

Great Britain Davis Cup captain Leon Smith confirmed Murray, who he has a close relationship with, is yet to decide whether he will play.

Smith said during the BBC’s coverage of the Queen’s final on Sunday: “I’ve seen the reports and on social media and that’s not my understanding.

“This has come from one source and had a knock-on effect, a lot of people are reporting it but that’s not my understanding.

“He obviously went through a procedure yesterday and you have to wait and see now. My understanding is no decision has been made and let’s hope for the best for Andy.”

More final woe for Tomljanovic

Ajla Tomljanovic’s dream of finally winning her first WTA tour title after 15 years of slog has been shattered after she fell frustratingly short once again in the final of the Birmingham Classic.

For the Australian stalwart, who had reached four previous WTA finals only to be beaten in them all, it was deja vu as Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva defeated her 6-1 7-6 (10-8) in a grass-court showdown for the Maud Watson Trophy at Edgbaston on Sunday.

Tomljanovic had lifted what’s considered as a ‘challenger’ trophy in Brazil last year amid an injury-strewn spell for the 31-year-old, but a triumph in a tour-level ‘250’ event had, frustratingly, always proved beyond her in 179 previous WTA main draws.

Outplayed by inspired world No.41 Putintseva in the opening set and at the start of the second, Tomljanovic fought back superbly, finding real venom in her ball-striking to earn a set point at 5-4, only to inexplicably serve up three straight double faults to allow Putintseva a path back.

Then in a dramatic tiebreak, Tomljanovic missed out on a second set point before twice saving championship point, only to finally succumb by screwing a forehand just wide.

“It’s never easy losing in a final but I really tried my best today,” Tomljanovic told the sympathetic crowd, many of whom have been supporting her at the Birmingham event over 14 years.

Playing on the Ann Jones Centre Court and being watched by the 85-year-old 1969 Wimbledon champion herself, Tomljanovic missed out on becoming only the second Aussie winner at Edgbaston after Ash Barty in 2019.

But she was left proud that, down in the rankings at 190 after her injury problems, she will be back up to 135 next week, ready for another crack at Wimbledon where she’s twice previously reached the quarter-finals.

Putintseva, who’d dropped only one set all week on the way to her third tour crown, ended up somewhat relieved after Tomljanovic found a second-set purple patch with a succession of booming winners off both wings.

“It’s been a great game. I started so well, and then Ajla developed her level to the highest and she was playing really amazing, not giving me any time to think. The game was even in the end and I was a bit more lucky,” said the 29-year-old.

“I want to congratulate Ajla. It’s great to see you back after everything you’ve been through, with all your injuries. It’s a great achievement.

“You deserve this title as much as I do, but today I was stronger, but hopefully we’ll have a lot more to come, a lot more of these moments to share.”

Then, she couldn’t resist adding with a laugh: “And, yeah, hope I win the next one as well!”

Putintseva, whose feisty on-court demeanour contrasts so strikingly with a jokey off-court persona, added: “My first grass-court title. I don’t know what I’m feeling because I wasn’t expecting this at all.

“It’s great – and it’s confusing because I’ve always been good on clay, but now all of a sudden, I’m good on grass! I’ll take that! It’s great!”

—AAP