Andy Murray’s hopes of competing at Wimbledon and the Olympics before retiring this summer have suffered a significant blow after he ruptured ankle ligaments at the Miami Open.
The former world No 1 sustained the injury as he approached the net late in the deciding set of a 5-7, 7-5, 7-6 (7-5) loss to Tomas Machac on Sunday. As Murray went to split-step, he stalled abruptly, emitting an anguished cry as he hopped towards the net before sinking to his knees, clutching his left ankle.
Fears that Murray might have ruptured an Achilles tendon were swiftly allayed as he rose to his feet unaided, and after a medical evaluation he somehow managed to play on, coming within two points of victory before Machac eventually sealed victory in three hours and 28 minutes. However, the 36-year-old revealed in a social media post on Monday night that he has suffered a double rupture that will keep him out for “an extended period”.
“Towards the end of my match in Miami I suffered a full rupture of my ATFL [anterior talofibular ligament] and near full-thickness rupture of my CFL [calcaneofibular ligament],” wrote Murray, who had a metal hip installed five years ago.
“I will see an ankle specialist when I return home to determine next steps. Goes without saying this is a tough one to take and I’ll be out for an extended period. But I’ll be back with one hip and no ankle ligaments when the time is right.”
The ATFL and CFL ligaments, which are located on the outer side of the ankle, play a crucial role in keeping the foot and ankle stable when moving. Injuries of the type Murray has suffered are common, and have an estimated recovery time of six to 12 weeks, assuming surgery is not required. It therefore seems unlikely the 36-year-old will be able to fulfil his ambition of competing for one last time at the French Open, which begins on 26 May. A more realistic target is the grass-court event at Queen’s Club, where Murray has won five singles titles, which gets underway three weeks later. Wimbledon, meanwhile, starts on 1 July.
The injury is cruelly timed for Murray, who was showing real signs of a return to form after winning two straight matches for the first time since last August. It was no way to bid farewell to a tournament where he has twice been crowned champion, or to a city he has come to regard as a second home.
“That’s the last match I am going to play here, which is sad, because I love it here,” said Murray, who used to own an apartment overlooking Biscayne Bay, where he would stay with his team during his famously gruelling winter training blocks.
“I’ve spent so much of my career here, and I would have liked it to go on a little bit longer. This tournament is an important one for me, so it was a bit more emotional leaving the court.
“I am looking forward to the end now, give my best the next few months and get to be at home with my family.”