Journalists’ notebook: Sky Sports’ Dan Khan looks back on his weekend at Wimbledon with Andy Murray in the lead | Tennis news

I thought a lot about the name that was on everyone’s lips this weekend before Wimbledon: Andy Murray.

How is he ? Will he be able to return to the court one last time? How can he after spinal surgery a week ago? What will a final goodbye to Wimbledon mean for him?

In a way it seems typical of Murray, the situation he finds himself in.

He underwent spinal surgery just over a week ago and now, as in previous years with the various challenges that have come his way, he has one more to overcome.

To do so, once again, Murray will test his physical and mental limits to do everything in his power to find himself on the court at that moment… that special moment where he can enjoy the applause of the crowd that has supported him through the lowest as well as the highest moments of his career – much of which has come at Wimbledon.

I talked to Sky Sports Tennis Analyst Laura Robson and we both ended up full of admiration for Murray’s competitiveness and how the fact that he is even in contention to be on the field 10 days after undergoing surgery is a testament to the player.

I saw him practicing Saturday afternoon – our first real glimpse of his condition – and he seemed frustrated. This was clearly a session to test his body’s reaction to a few rallies, a few sprints and I left this session thinking that it seemed unlikely that he would be able to play competitive tennis against Tomas Machac in his first round match on Tuesday.

It all made a lot more sense when we spoke to Murray on Sunday, as he explained that while he feels good about his back, it’s actually the impact of the surgery on his legs that has limited him.

He has yet to regain full feeling in his legs since the operation, although it is improving day by day. Murray wondered if it would improve enough for him to compete with Machac.

The good news is that Murray will have until Thursday to decide if he can play men’s doubles with his brother Jamie, which would be a special occasion for him and their family – but would that be enough or the right way for Murray to to withdraw permanently from Wimbledon?

I think the question is still fresh in my mind because I’ve spoken to a lot of players this weekend about Murray and his potential final farewell at Wimbledon. It’s really eye-opening to see them all, not only paying tribute to him, but also seeing the hope they all have that Murray gets the moment he deserves to say goodbye.

I asked seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic about his good friend Murray, who he said was a “legend of the game,” but he also told me how much it would mean to him to succeed in the field.

Djokovic said: “He definitely deserves a big farewell to his favourite tournament, the tournament he won twice, the one where he won the Olympics – he should finish on his own terms, we all hope he’s physically fit enough to finish on his own terms and I wish him all the best.

Caroline Wozniacki paid a similar tribute to Murray, describing how few players in tennis history have accomplished what he accomplished with the expectation that he could finish on his own.

Gael Monfils told me “he’s the man, he’s Sir Andy Murray!” and that all the players will be supporting Murray here at Wimbledon to say goodbye.

It may be easy for many players to speak kindly of their comrades, but for me it’s the smiles and warmth with which they speak of Murray that counts. I asked a lot of players about their form, Wimbledon, etc., but often their longest answers were in tribute to Murray.

So what’s the perfect goodbye?

At first, I wondered if the match should take place in front of a full Center Court. Should it be singles or would doubles with his brother be enough?

I left Wimbledon on Sunday evening feeling like maybe it didn’t matter after all.

The legacy you leave to the thousands upon thousands of fans that Murray entertained and contributed to during his career at Wimbledon as well as the admiration of his peers…perhaps that’s enough for someone who has established himself like a tennis legend.

Whether Murray is able to take the court in singles, doubles or not at all, as I mentioned before, it is typical of Andy Murray to fight every day, every minute and every second to see himself he will be able to do it.

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