‘Devastated’ Katie Boulter out of Wimbledon after failing to shake off back injury picked up in April’s Fed Cup win

KATIE BOULTER has been ruled out of Wimbledon.

The British No4 failed to shake off a back injury picked up during April’s Fed Cup win over Kazakhstan.

Had she been fit it is likely Boulter, 22, would have been handed a wildcard at SW19.

Boulter was last month blasted by tennis legend Billie Jean King for pulling out of the French Open after the main draw had been made.

Under the rules, she was still able to collect half the prize money for a first-round exit — £20,300.

This time she has taken the decision early.

DEVASTATED

World No127 Boulter explained: “The road to recovery has had its ups and downs.

“At various points I’ve been very close to getting back on court. But unfortunately I’m not quite ready for Wimbledon.

“On the advice of my medical team, I’ve made the decision to give my recovery a couple more weeks.

“I’m devastated to be missing my home Grand Slam.”

Meanwhile, Andy Murray made a glorious comeback to top-level tennis as he won the Queen’s doubles title – five months after thinking his career was over.

The Scot, 32, underwent career-saving hip resurfacing surgery in January just weeks after breaking down in tears in front of the world’s media when he revealed how much daily pain he was suffering.

Yet despite everybody in sport thinking he was completely finished as an elite performer, Murray came to the Fever-Tree Championships this week and once again lifted silverware above his head.

He will now turn his attention to next week’s Wimbledon curtain-raiser.