Andy Murray loses in Eastbourne, Wimbledon participation in fresh doubt now

Andy Murray slipped to a 6-4, 6-4 defeat to British compatriot Kyle Edmund at Eastbourne on Wednesday to put the former World No. 1’s participation at Wimbledon in fresh doubt.

Murray, a two-time Wimbledon champion, has slipped to 156 in the world after only returning to action at Queen's last week following 11 months out with a hip injury.

The 31-year-old lost first up at Queen's but was buoyed by beating fellow three-time major winner Stan Wawrinka in the opening round at Eastbourne on Monday.

Murray suffered his hip injury in the quarter-finals at Wimbledon last year and underwent surgery in January.

This year's Wimbledon gets underway on Monday. "It was a bit of a tough match, mentally, playing Andy, but I had to try to view it as another match," Edmund, who has taken over from his mentor as national number one, told reporters.

"I've looked up to Andy so much, and he's looked after me and really been good for me, so it's a bit of a weird feeling. I was a bit nervous towards the end."

Prior to his appearance at the Queen’s Championship a few days back, the 31-year-old three-time Grand Slam champion had not played a competitive match since losing to Sam Querrey in last year's Wimbledon quarter-finals.

He had opted to have right hip surgery five months ago. His ranking has slipped to 156 but there were times during a compelling two hour 39 minute clash with Kyrgios in the first round of the Queen's Club championships when it looked as though he had never been away.

Ultimately, however, he could not last the pace and Kyrgios buckled down after a torrid first set to win 2-6 7-6(4) 7-5. He was clearly fatigued at the end and there was even the suggestion of a limp but Murray said that was only to be expected after such a long layoff.