The name on everyone's lips during the weekend leading up to Wimbledon was Andy Murray.
How is he? Will he be able to stand in court one last time? What happened to him who had spinal surgery just a week ago? How much does it mean to him to say his final farewell at Wimbledon?
In some ways, Murray's situation seems typical of him.
He had spinal surgery just a week ago, and like the many challenges he's faced over the past few years, he now has one more to overcome.
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Jacquie Beltrao provides the latest update on Andy Murray's recovery and his efforts to play at Wimbledon.
To do this, Murray will once again test his physical and mental limits and give his all to stand on the court for that special moment, the moment when he can receive the applause of the crowd that has supported him through the lowest and highest moments of his career. These moments have mostly happened at Wimbledon.
i spoke up sky sports tennis Analyst Laura Robson and we both had great admiration for Murray's competitiveness and felt it was a testament to the player that he was able to get back on the court just 10 days after surgery.
I watched him practice on Saturday afternoon. We got our first glimpse of how he was doing, and he looked frustrated. It was clearly a session to test how his body would react to a few rallies and a few sprints, and I left that session thinking he probably wouldn't 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 with Murray on Sunday. He explained that although his back feels fine, the effect of the surgery on his legs has actually limited him.
He is feeling better in his leg after surgery, but he still has not fully recovered. Murray questioned whether he would ever be good enough to compete with Machac.
Andy Murray and Jamie Murray could play doubles together at Wimbledon
The good news is that Murray has until Thursday to decide whether he can play men's doubles with his brother Jamie. This will be a special opportunity for him and his family. But is that enough or the right way for Murray to bow out? Will Wimbledon last forever?
I think that question has been on my mind as I spoke to many players over the weekend about Murray and his final farewell to Wimbledon. It was truly amazing to see them all not only paying tribute to him, but also hopeful that Murray was having the moment he deserved to say goodbye.
I asked seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic about his good friend Murray, and while he said Murray was a 'legend of the game', he also explained how much it meant to him to be on the court.
“He definitely deserves a big goodbye to his favorite tournament, the one he's won twice, the one he won at the Olympics,” Djokovic said. “He has to finish on his own terms. We all hope he's physically fit enough to finish his tournament. We wish him the best of luck on his own terms.”
Caroline Wozniacki had similar praise for Murray, noting how few players in tennis history have achieved what he has, with the hope that they can do it themselves.
Gail Monfils said: 'He's the man, he's Sir Andy Murray!' and that all the players will be cheering him on at Wimbledon to say goodbye to Murray.
It may be easy for many players to speak kindly of their teammates, but for me, I can feel the smiles and warmth when they talk about Murray. I asked many players about their form, Wimbledon, etc. But often their longest response was a tribute to Murray.
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Emma Raducanu talks about Murray's injury struggles and hopes he will be fit to play at Wimbledon.
So what is the perfect breakup?
At first I was curious. Does the entire center court have to be in front? Should it be a singles tie, or will doubles against his brother suffice?
I left Wimbledon on Sunday evening thinking, 'Well, maybe it doesn't really matter.'
The legacy you leave to your thousands of fans is not only the joy and admiration Murray brought you during his career at Wimbledon, but also the admiration of his peers. Perhaps that is enough for a man who has solidified himself as a tennis legend.
Whether or not Murray can get on the court in singles, doubles – as mentioned before, typical Andy Murray seems to be fighting every day, minute and second to see if he can. so.
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