Andy Murray will play Tomas Machac in the first round of Wimbledon if he is well enough to make an emotional farewell appearance at the All England Club.
The British athletic legend, who expects to retire later this year, was obliged to have a back treatment last week, casting doubt on his participation in Wimbledon.
Murray, a three-time major champion, returned to training this week and says he will decide whether to play Wimbledon ‘as late as feasible’.
On Monday, defending Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz faces Marc Jahal on Centre Court, while world number one Jannik Sinner takes on Yannick Hanfmann.
Alvaraz won his first French Open title earlier this month and defeated Novak Djokovic in five sets in the Wimbledon final last year.
Seven-time winner Djokovic, who remains an injury doubt for Wimbledon, begins his tournament against Vit Kopriva, while British number one Cameron Norrie will face Facundo Diaz Acosta.
Women’s world number one Iga Swiatek, who has five Grand Slam titles but never won Wimbledon, faces former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin first up.
Emma Raducanu of Britain, who hopes to bring her career back to life on her home court, was paired with Ekaterina Alexandrova of Russia, the 22nd seed who advanced to the fourth round of the 2018 Wimbledon tournament.
While Raducanu, 21, made history in 2021 by winning the US Open as a qualifier, she hasn’t advanced to the third round of a Grand Slam since her incredible run at Flushing Meadows.
The top-ranked Briton Katie Boulter faces Tatjana Maria and, should Dart defeat Bai Zhuoxuan, might face her own countrywoman Harriet Dart in the rematch.
Gentlemen's Singles – Projected Quarter-finals by Seeding
Sinner (1) vs Medvedev (5)
Alcaraz (3) vs Ruud (8)Rublev (6) vs Zverev (4)
Hurkacz (7) vs Djokovic (2)#Wimbledon— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) June 28, 2024
Ladies' Singles – Projected Quarter-finals by Seeding
Swiatek (1) vs Vondrousova (6)
Rybakina (4) vs Pegula (5)Zheng (8) vs Sabalenka (3)
Paolini (7) vs Gauff (2)#Wimbledon— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) June 28, 2024
Will Andy Murray play at Wimbledon?
If Murray pulls out of his singles first-round match against Czech Republic’s Machac, he could still delight fans with one last Wimbledon appearance alongside his brother Jamie in doubles.
The Scots have been handed a wildcard to play together and Murray believes that represents his best chance of one last Wimbledon appearance.
‘I’m going to wait until the last minute to see if I’m going to be able to play and I’ve earned that right to do that,’ said Murray, who ended Britain’s 77-year wait for a men’s Wimbledon singles champion in 2013 and won again in 2016.
There is no guarantee that I will be ready to participate or that I will have 0% chance of playing. That’s the way it is. I think it’s more likely that I’m unable to play singles at this time.
“Maybe it’s my ego getting in the way, but I feel like I deserve the opportunity to give it until the very last minute to make that decision,” the two-time Olympic winner continued.
“It’s complicated, and my desire to play at Wimbledon again makes it even more complicated.” I would want to be given the chance to participate in the event.
The 23-year-old Machac, Murray’s first-round opponent, has never advanced past the third round of a Grand Slam.