Tennis star Andy Murray will undergo back surgery and likely miss the remainder of the 2013 ATP season. The back issue, a disc problem in his lower back, has bothered Murray for two years, BBC reports.
"Next week, Andy is set to undergo minor back surgery in an effort to clear up a longstanding back problem," Murray's management team said in a statement sent to CNN.
"The issue flared up again during the Rome Masters this year when Andy was forced to retire and he sought advice from a range of specialists in May.
"After a successful return on the more forgiving grass courts, Andy enjoyed success at Queen's and Wimbledon, but after recently playing on hard courts and clay, Andy once again sought medical advice about solving the issue once and for all.
"The aim is to be fully fit for the new season."
The disc problem affects a nerve in his lower back and causes pain in his hip and upper leg. The problem tends to flare up when he plays on harder surfaces.
Back issues forced him to withdraw this year from the Rome Masters. He then missed the French Open because of the back issues and struggled at Montreal and Cincinnati before falling in straight sets to Stanislas Wawrinka in the US Open quarterfinals.
"Andy does have a knack of always looking in pain, but obviously this is something that he feels is the right thing to do and we have to trust him on that," Jamie Baker, Murray's friend and former Davis Cup teammate, told BBC. "We can't underestimate how tough emotionally the last 12 months has been, so it's understandable if he's a little burned out, and this break will give him the best chance of picking up more major titles next year."
Murray, ranked No. 3 in the World, is 43-8 for the season with four titles, including one at Wimbledon.
