Crocked Andy to miss Wimbledon

ANDY MURRAY last night pulled out of Wimbledon – because he knew he could not win the title.

The two-time champion, who limped out of the tournament last year, withdrew on the eve of his home Grand Slam after playing only three matches

(£1.00 per min) I have gone out there and see how it felt?’

“I feel comfortable with the decision as it is the right one for me at this stage, long term.

“If I thought I would not play Wimbledon again, it would be a different decision to make and I would be out there, just playing to enjoy it and potentially play my last Wimbledon.

“But I want to play a few more years and be back competing at the top of the game and I need to keep that in mind when I am making decisions right now. I believe I will be back at Wimbledon.”

In a statement, Murray said he had withdrawn with a “heavy heart” but he later insisted he had been right to try another aborted comeback – his fifth since limping out of Wimbledon last year. The Scot, 31, played three matches on grass at Queen’s Club and Eastbourne. “At some stage I needed to get back on the match court to compete to see how my body felt,” he said.

Murray, who consulted with Dr Bryan English as he made his decision, pulled out of Wimbledon the day before in 2007 with a wrist injury.

He also had back surgery in 2013 and will change his training style to stay in the game.

Murray added: “I will make changes to my schedule to try and look after my body better.

“I’ll be working hard but not killing my body in training blocks either. Providing I am smart with those things, I believe I’ll be able to compete.”

Murray, scheduled to play in Washington, starting on July 30, said: “It’s disappointing not to play Wimbledon, but I don’t have any regrets.”

CONNOR SWIFT is the new British road race champion.Swift won the title in Stamfordham, Northumberland, after a solo break with seven miles left.Jess Roberts took the honours in the women’s race.ENGLAND Women clinched the T20 tri-series final with a seven-wicket win over New Zealand.Chasing 137, Danielle Wyatt (right) scored 50 and Tammy Beaumont 35. CALL CHESTER BARNES NOW since his January hip surgery. The former world No.1, now ranked No.156, said: “It’s strange for me. Normally when I get ready for Wimbledon a couple of days out, I feel nervous, stressed and excited.“I didn’t really feel that way this time. I didn’t feel like I was going to win the tournament.“I didn’t feel I was going to do well. There were just so many unknowns. It’s a very, very different mentality going into the event.“I didn’t feel good before Wimbledon last year, but decided to play. I know how that ended up.”