Andy Murray pulls out of Wimbledon singles competition, but will play doubles

Two-time Wimbledon singles champion Andy Murray has withdrawn from this year's competition following a recent surgery to remove a spinal cyst.

"Unfortunately, despite working incredibly hard on his recovery since his operation just over a week ago, Andy has taken the very difficult decision not to play the singles this year," Murray's team said in a statement Tuesday.

However, he will continue his plans to play doubles with his brother Jamie.

Murray, 37, ended a 77-year wait for a British men's singles champion at Wimbledon in 2013, then won the title again in 2016. He had previously said he's unlikely to continue his career beyond this year and could bow out at the Olympics in Paris.

Contributing: Reuters