Andy Murray’s potential path to Wimbledon final sees him on collision course with Novak Djokovic and could set up all British semi-final with up-and-coming star… IF he plays in this year’s singles competition

Andy Murray could provide a dream scenario for British tennis fans and stage a semi-final with Jack Draper at Wimbledon this year.

However, there are still major question marks over the two-time champion’s fitness following surgery for a spinal cyst.

The 37-year-old originally planned to retire after the Olympics, but revealed he could consider a different exit strategy if he is unable to play at the championships in Paris next week.

However, fans of the three-time Grand Slam winner will be hoping he can play in SW19 and give them another fairytale moment.

But there’s some stiff competition on the horizon if he wants to give everyone one more magical run.

The two-time Wimbledon champion was forced to withdraw from Queens due to injury and has since undergone surgery for a spinal cyst

It’s not the easiest start for Murray either; he was drawn against Tomas Machac in the opening round of Friday’s chaotic draw.

The Czech star recently defeated the former Wimbledon champion in a grueling three-set match at the Miami Open in March.

If he can beat Machac, he will face the winner of 26th seed Francisco Cerundolo and Roman Safiullin.

After that, Pole Hubert Hurkacz, who would be the 27th seed and 2021 semi-finalist, could possibly be the winner.

And things certainly wouldn’t get any easier for Murray in the fourth round, where he could face Alex de Minaur, who has impressed on the tour this year after both a win over Novak Djokovic and a quarter-final appearance at the French Open.

Novak Djokovic set to give Murray a blockbuster quarter-final match

There is also a slim chance of an all-British semi-final against the promising Jack Draper

Although it is more likely he will face fourth-seeded Alexander Zverev if he reaches the semi-finals

If he can beat the Australian, it could set him up for a thrilling quarter-final against his great rival Novak Djokovic, the man who beat Murray to claim his first Wimbledon title.

That could lead to an all-British semi-final with Jack Draper, who put in an impressive performance to beat Carlos Alcaraz at Queens last week.

Although it is more likely that he will face Alexander Zverev, Andrey Rublev or Stefanos Tsitsipas, the Greek star ousted Murray in five sets at last year’s tournament.

Of course, this is all speculation, as it remains to be seen whether the 37-year-old will play at all this year, and whether he has had enough.

But as with all tournaments, no one can blame the fans for being optimistic and dreamy when they watch the draw.

Andy Murray opened up on his tough week post-injury at Queens Club

One thing is certain: if he makes it to the final, it will definitely be the fairytale ending that fans and Murray are hoping for.

The former US Open champion said the following about the surgery on a cyst in his spine: ‘The past week has been pretty tough of course. There’s a lot at stake because I want to finish the Olympics.

“When I suffered the injury at Queen’s and then had the subsequent scans and doctor’s appointments, it was quite a difficult situation. Multiple surgeons told me I needed surgery immediately.

‘I had a quite large cyst on my spinal cord, which was seen on a scan after the French Open, but it grew significantly in size over the next two to three weeks.

“So I had to have the surgery, but I was given multiple different timelines for how long that would take. And it was also pointed out to me that if I decided to play Wimbledon, there was a certain risk involved and what matters is whether I am willing to take that risk or not.

‘But even with a potential risk, the operation went really well and I am recovering very well. I hit a few balls yesterday. I don’t have much pain at all, but nerve injuries heal slowly.

‘I don’t know exactly how long it will take before I have the guts to get to a stage where I can compete, whether that’s three days, or three weeks or five weeks. It’s impossible to say.

‘I’m in a difficult position because I’m recovering very well every day and making very good progress. However, I don’t know how I will wake up tomorrow and how quickly my nerve will recover. It is not the same as a muscle injury or muscle tear.’