ANDY BATTLING AGAINST CROCK
Wimbers setback for star as injury ruins Queen’s bid
ANDY MURRAY was last night forced to pull out of the Queen’s Club Championship with a stomach injury.
The three-time Grand Slam champion underwent a scan yesterday and it showed a strain to his left abdomen.
The injury, suffered during his three-set defeat to Matteo Berrettini in the final of the Stuttgart Open on Sunday, is a major setback to the Scot’s preparations for Wimbledon.
But the former world No.1 is hopeful of being able to step up his work next week ahead of the tournament starting on June 27.
Murray said: “After having a scan, an abdominal injury means I won’t be fit to compete at Queen’s. The tournament means a lot to me and it’s disappointing not to compete, especially after playing some good matches on the grass already.”
At the weekend, Murray, 35, had made it through to the final of a grass-court event for the first time since winning his second Wimbledon title in 2016, beating Stefanos Tsitsipas and Nick Kyrgios along the way. He was bidding to win his first title since 2019 but, after forcing a deciding set, experienced discomfort and twice needed treatment before going down 6-4 5-7 6-3.
Rather than get some more matches under his belt this week, Murray’s likely to play an exhibition next week in a blow to his SW19 preparations.
But British No.2 Dan Evans believes Murray’s absence from Queen’s should not hamper his Wimbledon bid.
He said: “It’s never easy for people to be injured, especially this time of year. It’s not ideal. In Andy’s case, if anybody knows how to prepare himself for Wimbledon, it’s him.
“If he plays this week or next week, it wouldn’t matter. If he can still play tennis in a week or so he’ll be OK. It’s not ideal but it’s not the end of the world for him.”
Evans plays Berrettini, the reigning Queen’s champion, in the first round on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Jack Draper conquered nerves and Taylor Fritz for the biggest win of his career yesterday.
The wildcard, 20, broke into the world’s top 100 by blowing away the world No.14 6-3 6-2.
Draper rose to the occasion in front of 9500 people on Centre Court and said: “I hadn’t played in front of as many people as this so the nerves are still there but I’m pleased with the way I played.”
No.3 seed Cam Norrie crashed out 6-7 6-1 6-4 to Grigor Dimitrov while Liam Broady went down 6-1 4-6 7-5 to Marin Cilic.
At the Rothesay Classic Birmingham, Harriet Dart saw off Camila Osorio 6-2 6-0 to set up a second-round tie with No.2 seed Simona Halep.