The two-time champion, 37, was set to play in the competition for the final time yesterday, opening his campaign on Čentre Court.
But Sir Andy had not recovered properly from recent back surgery to take on his Czech opponent Tomas Machac.
He said: "I wanted to play in the tournament. I wanted to have a chance to walk out there on my own on Centre Court again and give it another go.
"But I was also only going to do that if I felt like I could be competitive. I didn't feel like that today.
"I'm sorry for everyone that came and wanted to support and watch again. I wanted that moment as well, as much as for the people that have supported me over the years. The fans but also my closest friends, family, my team.
"It's one of those things. It's unfortunate. The timing was horrible. The surgery was a complex one and it just wasn't to be."
The three-time Grand Slam winner's departure from the singles meant supporters at Wimbledon, at home watching on TV and luminaries in the Royal Box would not see another potentially classic thriller from Sir Andy.
Former British No1 Tim Henman paid tribute to the knight of tennis, saying: "Andy Murray has been playing and competing in an incredible era against Federer, Nadal and Djokovic three of the greatest players of all time.
"And when you see how he's matched up against them, he's beaten them. He's finished as the world No1 in that era, he's won three Grand Slams, two Olympic golds, he goes way beyond tennis."
Charles Bowden and Kelly Ann Ethell felt for their hero after camping out since 2pm the day before to secure tickets to see him.
Denne historien er fra July 03, 2024-utgaven av Daily Express.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra July 03, 2024-utgaven av Daily Express.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
SCHAR IS SPOT ON AS TOON LACK FIZZ
Hosts beat dogged Dons a year after glamour night
Nurture health and wealth for best retirement
AS PEOPLE live longer pensioners now expect to be retired for 27 years on average which is good news but there's a catch, as their retirement sayings may not last as long as they do.
City rampage puts the Brat pack in the shade
RECORD FOR HAALAND AS McATEE BAGS FIRST
TFRE BELLBED Peet could be greatest coach ever at Warriors TFRED
WIGAN LEGEND OFFIAH HAILS MATTY
Mayhem for motorists
Lorry plunges 60ft from M6 viaduct during rainstorm
'We deliver fruit to school because when I was seven we could never afford it'
A NATIONAL Lottery retailer's experience of growing up in a single-parent family has made him determined to support the most vulnerable in his community.
Channel 4 spent £15,000 taking MPs who blocked privatisation to BAFTAs
CHANNEL 4 spent nearly £15,000 on hosting MPs at the BAFTA awards after they supported its fight against government privatisation plans.
High-flyers Wills and Becks hail £16m helicopters boost
DAVID Beckham played wingman to Prince William as a £15million target to replace London Air Ambulance's ageing helicopters was smashed.
Number of over-90s hits record high
THE number of people aged 90 and older has reached a record high, estimates for England and Wales show.
Hunt for acid attacker as girl, 14, hit outside school
A GIRL of 14 has suffered \"lifechanging\" injuries after being doused with acid by an e-scooter attacker.