Andy Murray ruled out for rest of the season

Andy Murray's historic season is practically over after the Wimbleon champion opted to have surgery on a longstanding back problem.

The British number one struggled with the injury earlier this year and on that occasion chose to eventually withdraw from the French Open before he came back to make history and win at the All England Club.

With all of this season's grand slams completed the 26-year-old us likely to now miss Novemeber's ATP World Tour Finals at London's O2 Arena.

His management company, 77, said in a statement: "Next week, Andy is set to undergo minor back surgery in an effort to clear up a long-standing back problem.

"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."

Just last week the world number three helped restore Great Britain to the Davis Cup World Group with a 4-1 defeat of Croatia.

The surgery is not thought to put at risk Murray's participation at the next grand slam in Australia in January. It means the 2012 US Open champion should also be considered fit enough to play in Britain's Davis Cup tie against the United States at the end of January.