Wimbledon dream alive as Murray steps back on court

Murray, who damaged tendons in his right wrist a month ago, today revealed he is hitting at "50 per cent power" and that the injury is improving well under a rehabilitation programme being carried out at the National Tennis Centre in Roehampton.

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But despite the pressure on Britain's leading player to appear at his home Grand Slam, Murray, who has reached a career-high ranking of world No 9, will not put the wrist in jeopardy by playing if not completely fit.

He said: "Wimbledon is not the most important thing, it's my wrist. If I must miss Wimbledon to get the injury 100 per cent fit then I don't have a problem about doing that.

"As long as the injury is getting better, that's the most important thing. In terms of Wimbledon, I can make a decision on the day of my match.

"If, for example, four days before the start it's not ready, then I will pass on it."

Murray dismissed the notion he would be too short of match practice if he were to play, saying: "I know what I have to do on court and it may take just one or two matches to get into the swing of things.

"If I can't play at the Boodles tournament at Stoke Park next week and have to go straight into Wimbledon, that's fine. I am sure other guys have had to do that in the past. It's difficult but doable.

"I won't feel any pressure going into Wimbledon because I haven't played for two months and my expectations are not so high."

Murray was speaking at today's launch of a new tennis programme for youngsters backed by the David Lloyd leisure group and was able to smile about his injury after turning up to find a group of young tennis players ready to greet him with their right wrists bandaged in sympathy.

They also had a Union flag ready with a "Get well soon Andy" message on it.

Murray knows his wrist has become the tennis equivalent of Wayne Rooney's infamous metatarsal but he has tried to limit the debate over his fitness by only releasing limited details of the problem.

"I'm probably hitting at 50 per cent of my capacity and if I did hit my hardest forehand it would probably hurt," he said.

"But it's not a problem to shake hands or pick things up. I saw the doctor for the last time on Monday and he told me to keep doing the exercises and it really is a case of taking it day by day.

"I mustn't push it too hard just because it's feeling better. Every day is important and I don't want to take a step back."

Murray then took a moment to pay tribute to Lewis Hamilton, who won his first Formula One race in Canada last weekend.

He said: "It's great for British sport that there is somebody we can all get excited about. He's breaking all sorts of records and dealing with all the expectations which is great for British sport."