The first zephyr in what will soon become a full-blown cyclone of hype issued gently from the All England Club yesterday. The idiosyncratic Wimbledon seedings place Andy Murray at eight. This bald statement disguises much of the ferment that will inflate a thousand media balloons (me included) over the next 48 hours.

Murray, with that famous wrist injury sustained in Hamburg last month, is a doubtful starter. This has prompted fevered observation worthy of Bill Oddie's Springwatch. There is the lesser-spotted Murray hitting a decent backhand on a tree-lined court. He's fit, he's fit! There is the Freckled Scottish Basher wincing over a forehand on a man-made surface in deepest south London. He's unfit, he's unfit!

The speculation, of untested provenance, is that Murray is hitting his serve and backhand at full power but his forehand remains an area of concern because of the tendon damage to his wrist.

More informed comment comes from sources close to the Murray camp who insist no decision has been made on the world No.8's participation or otherwise. The decision may be left as late as Saturday, though the draw for is made tomorrow. The only certainty is that Murray's last chance to play some sort of competitive tennis before Wimbledon is this weekend's Boodles Challenge exhibitition tournament at Stoke Park. If he is suffering no ill-effects, there is no reason for him not to proceed straight to SW19 without a blow struck in anger.

There is, though, a fallacy at the heart of the furore. It is that the Scot must, just must play at Wimbers. After all, anything else would be a tragedy of "Henman loses in first-round" proportions. This is a product of the first tenet of British tennis, namely that Wimbledon demands an importance that strays deep into obsession. It is at its most febrile in sections of the press.

The party line this week is that Murray is facing a race against time to be fit. But, at 20, his race has a long way to run. The journey, too, should include participation at the business end of grand slam tournaments. This realisation will be at the front of the minds of those who advise him.

There is no doubt Murray wants to play. But the young Scot is such a competitor he wants to play in every tournament, particularly grand slams. He relishes the big occasion.

However, Wimbledon 2007 is not a compulsory event for the young man. He is a player with a future that stretches beyond an English summer.

There are the temptations. His advisers will see that he is seeded to make, at least, the second week. They know his core fitness has not suffered during the lay-off as Murray has been typically assiduous in attending the gym since the injury. He was hitting balls as long as two weeks ago.

But these advisers will appreciate there are great challenges ahead, not least this season. The decision on Murray will be guided by reason rather than emotion. It does not, however, stop his partisan admirers waiting in hope for a positive whisper.