NOT DON YET
Murray’s fight to be fit for SW19
ANDY MURRAY is in a race against time to be fit for Wimbledon after pulling out of the Cinch Championships last night with an abdominal strain.
The former world No.1 had a scan in London yesterday after suffering his latest injury setback in the final of the Boss Open in Stuttgart.
His first strain to his left abdominals is not severe but the 35-year-old has decided to rest this week to increase his chances of being fit for his home Grand Slam.
He will not play the Rothesay International Eastbourne next week although he could play an exhibition match at Hurlingham to test his fitness before Wimbledon starts on June 27.
But his withdrawal ends any hope of the world No.47 getting seeded at Wimbledon and disrupts his preparations for his home Grand Slam after skipping the French Open to prepare.
Murray, who won the singles title at Queen’s Club five times before his two hip surgeries, said: “After having a scan this afternoon, an abdominal injury means I won’t be fit to compete at Queen’s this year.
“The tournament means a lot to me and it’s disappointing not to compete, especially after playing some good matches on the grass already.”
The three-time Grand Slam winner won through to the semi-finals of the Surbition Trophy before beating Stefanos Tsitsipas and Nick Kyrgios to reach his first grasscourt final since Wimbledon 2016.
But he twice needed on-court treatment during the Stuttgart final of the Boss Open – his serve was badly affected – as he went down in three sets to Matteo Berrettini.
The Italian world No.10 revealed yesterday he suffered a similar abdominal injury at the 2021 Australian Open and was out for two months.
“I was serving and felt something sharp, I didn’t know what it was. I finished the match, did an MRI,” said last year’s Wimbledon runner-up. “They told me that I had to rest. There’s always going to be scar tissue, so it is kind of stiff all the time.
“And sometimes when I get tired, when I serve a lot, that area gets inflamed a little bit and I have to rest and get some treatment. But luckily, right now, I am healthy again.”
Both Murray and Emma Raducanu have suffered injuries in the build-up to Wimbledon with the US Open champion also pulling out of Nottingham last week with a stomach injury.
British No.2 Dan Evans said: “It’s never easy for people to be injured, especially this time of year. It’s not ideal. But if anyone knows how to prepare himself for Wimbledon, it’s Andy. And hopefully Emma will be fit too.”